Would two weeks away in March be too disruptive before GCSEs?

[GCSE2027]

DC will have 2 weeks off beginning of March. I would like you to take them to my home country in SA. It would be great winter scape as I suffer from SAD. Will help DC recharge before GCSE.

Will be too disruptive? They do have to work on a portfolio/written project which will probably be due in April. But they start working on it in Jan

Go, and enjoy! There’s this wonderful invention called the Internet that has access to a wide range of revision aids that can be accessed from anywhere in the World.

I don’t t find 8 hours remotely implausible. At that age and for I think months pre exams I’d prepared a colourful and carefully plotted study timetable covering all topics at least twice having divided my day into thirds - morning afternoon evening - and even with built in and rigidly timetabled breaks I’d have been putting at least that in. Wish I still had that kind of self discipline.

I wasn’t in any way unusual amongst fellow aspirants to top grades and university. My kids and their classmates were much the same. None of us died from stress or overwork.

Surely it depends on what it is that the DC are seeking to achieve?

Some people on here are talking about just passing. If that is the aim, then yes, no problem.

If your child is aiming high, then no, really bad idea.

You miss the point.
what is the point of going away, if you are under pressure to revise?

Yes and you’d be stupid to do it

I came to my senses and it will be disruptive as transcontinental trips are very disruptive. We won’t be able to fully relax and enjoy. It is too much money to spend in a short period of time. DC won’t study on holidays.

They are not planning on doing A levels, will go to college; but better try to achieve best results you can get to keep doors open.

Not sure what came over me when I thought of it 🙈😂

Not under pressure, there if you want to.

Maybe a week but not two.

Yes, very. Won't you get a fine too?

Yes don’t go, not fair. He needs the 2 weeks to revise. Sorry that’s just selfish.

Very bad

Check with the school whether they anticipate any problems. In particular, do they run any revision sessions during the holiday? Or catch-up workshop sessions for people to finish off design technology coursework or similar?

Allow enough time to recover from jetlag.

Might they have time to do some revision while they are there? Mine might actually have been better at getting down to revision whilst visiting family, as they need some downtime from company, and revision would have given an excuse to escape!

Check how DC feels about it.

Very invested means you will be at home and they will have a timetable for revision.

Why will she get a fine? In the OP it says that her DD has 2 weeks off.

What subjects are they doing? Some exams start early (e.g. language speaking exams) but schools will be doing a huge amount of revision and prep in March. Ridiculous idea to go on a long haul trip.

Take him. All my now adult DC did their GCSE and A level revision while we were away. The change of dcene have new impetus.

Scene gave new impetus....

It's a pretty short year though. Are they doing any course work subjects? Might be worth checking deadlines for those just in case. I know some subjects have hand on dates around then.

I don't think this would be terrible if DC was keen to go. I am sure they could have a week off revision without the world ending and you could do an hour here and there if desperate but I am not sure a long haul flight should be turned into a revision opportunity. Better to commit to what you are actually doing or you could benefit from neither.

If DC is doing well enough, I wouldn't worry too much. You'd be better to go away for a holiday than spend the week not doing much revision anyway. May half term wouldn't work too well.

I think this idea that all normal
life must be paused for Year 11 is very new and we won't be participating. I have friends who have treated the year like some whole family project where nobody holidays and revision is a constant preoccupation. That's not for me.

No chance!!!
Dd has just done her GCSEs and life halted in many ways from February. We went on a long haul holiday over Christmas.

As a TA working with people doing their GCSEs, I think it depends where you are going and what you are doing. A busy, tiring holiday would be bad. No time for revision at all would be bad. A short relaxing break for a few days to give them some days without revision, or a longer break where some days they could revise and other days they could laze around somewhere lovely would be fine.

Depends on the child!

I’m amazed at some of these posts. Work life balance is important. He can study loads before and after, and perhaps a bit while he’s there.

However, in this country we seem to prefer that our children are beaten down with the stress and anxiety of it all

That’s insane! No way should you do that.

You are at GCSE stage in March. It’s all kicking off and the future success of your child should be top priority.

Yes.

Depends what you are aiming for.
The grade 8/9 students won’t be lazing round a pool.