Y11 2025-26 Exams have started - chat, support & drink of choice if needed here.

[UncomfortableSilence]

New thread for all of us with lovely Y11s to support them and us through the coming weeks.

Exactly this. Two foreign beach holidays and Reading festival over an epic long summer!

I know - my dd looks like Uncle Fester with pale skin and dark circles, and all my Y11s are approx 2 shades paler than whatever skin tone they started with 😢 Bless them!

DD is 13 down, 9 to go. And is twinning with @MayasJamasand @walking2020 ‘s DDs in the looks stakes. Can’t wait for this all to be over!

Same here! I'm making sure she has vitamin D tablets because the last few weeks nowhere near enough outdoors.

I think we are 11 down 13 to go. I think DD will study a lot as some key exams still to go for her. They are on study leave now so were all out partying last night after shirt signing etc

11 down, 11 to go here. Daren’t broach how much he intends to do over half term!

DD is 15 down, 8 to go.

She’s definitely over the worst of it. All the rest of the exams are science, maths and FM which is what she is naturally good at so the pressure is well and truly off, thank goodness.

But she is so pale and exhausted. Her exams started a week before most PP’s I think due to the random exams boards her school has chosen.

It’s going to take her quite a few days to recharge I think.

Just counted - 10 down (I am not including graphics as that was more like supervised coursework) and 11 to go. So nearly halfway. Two subjects complete, well 3 including graphics (plus English language and Latin).

DD has 9 to go. I'm not sure how many she's done but she's finished 4 subjects - Art, Drama, German and English Lit - which feels good. She's got a heavy couple of weeks but not more than 1 a day which is at least something.

She's pretty relaxed and is planning on doing some physics in the garden later. Not sure whether that's the best place to concentrate but at least it's shady. It's absolutely baking here

We've also got theatre booked next week, R&J with Sadie Sink which she's looking forward to. Arturo Ui looks interesting @tourdefrance

And yes also looking forward to living her best life this summer with various holidays and Reading.

I'm probably far too worried / paranoid but I won't let my dd go to Reading. I think she was sort of relieved in the end, she could tell her friends I said no, made it easier.

We are having the day off here and dd2 had yesterday as a light day - revision in class but that was it. Dd1 had an exam. They may also have tomorrow- neither slept well (we are having a lot of boy trauma here and the heat isn’t helpful sleep wise).

their 2 weeks after the break are horrific - neither are half way through yet. They have both finished 2 subjects completely but still a big slog to go.

10 down and 11 to go.

DD was absolutely exhausted last night and went to bed at 7 with an audio book for a couple of hours sleep. She seems more human today.

Shea gone into town to charity shop with a friend. She says she is going to see revision today.

First week back is brutal.

My DS isn’t doing a language but this made me laugh!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Ecsg7Sera/?mibextid=wwXIfr

That's hilarious. I loved French, took it at A-Level and aced the speaking exams but I'm very rusty and that's exactly how I talk on holiday in France. More enthusiasm than accuracy or sense.

That French test was basically me 30 years ago at GCSE. I got a c by some miracle

DS is 15 exams and 1 NEA down with 9 exams to go. Four subjects completely finished. I think it really helps content wise that he didn’t take either history or geography as they seem to be tough in terms of sheer amount to learn. DS3 will likely want to take both in a few years so will need to brace myself!!

DS2 is having the weekend off and then tomorrow afternoon we’ll sit down together and put together a timetable for this week. Totally agree it’s about the balance between relaxing and working without either taking foot off pedal too much or burning out (admittedly DS more likely to be the former). I will be encouraging 2-2.5 hours revision per day, mainly as the subjects he has left are mostly his A level subjects (maths and sciences) but will see how it goes.

I also really really want him to do some socialising. I’m not seeing the pale and exhausted thing if I’m honest but I do want him to get off his gaming bum and get out for a bit of fresh air.

Ah @tompoolery I saw that one earlier – made me smile too :)

I still have vivid memories of my O level French speaking which went a bit tits-up when I picked the "wrong" card to talk about. Cannot recall the German one tho, nor either A level assessment so maybe they were OK?

Hope everyone's DC get some downtime this week alongside the work.

Very funny video.

I suggested to DS going to France in the summer and he can practice some of his GCSE French whilst we’re there (he’s yr 10) and he said not unless someone asks him if he has any pets or what’s in his pencil case he can’t!

@Beachforever I sent DS off to a French football camp last summer. He was the only Brit there in a sea of French players and coaches - perfect! He at least learned how to say "Pass!"

oh god the blooming pencil case. I never used to teach that bc I hated it so much. I hope by the end of year 10 he can talk about his hobbies, his family and friends and a bit about where he lives at least... :)

DS and his friends all took yesterday off, he was on Hampstead Heath hanging out with friends. Very good use of study leave I reckon! He wants to do a fair bit of revision over half term but he’s feeling fairly relaxed now that it’s 12 down 11 to go, with mostly maths and science left to go.

Dd did a whole day of history yesterday. Today she’s planning biology and chemistry. I’m on cold drink duty!

Anyone’s DS have ADHD? Mine does. I’d always thought revision was going to mean tying him to his desk! But it’s the opposite. And when he starts…. His concentration and focus is absolutely unbreakable. First time I have ever thought there is a positive to ADHD

Yes my DD does. We made lots of adjustments to help her, including changing a room into an office (lucky enough to have a spare room) as we knew she would not focus in her bedroom. She’s needed plenty of support with timetabling. But yes I agree, once she zones in, she’s on it! She also surprisingly (or perhaps not) really likes the exam hall environment with its order and lack of distractions - does your DS?

She’s unlikely to get top grades but I am in awe of her and how she’s coped, honestly.

DS has shown no inclination to revise at all, and doesn’t have a plan. Very nervous about how he might end up doing absolutely nothing all week