Y8-2023/2024

Good luck @MaitreKarlsson, hope the test goes well and gives some clarity over whether to move or not. I think the point about if you're stuck, do something else is a good one.

Things are fine here. End of year exams are over, not had all the results back but my DD appears to have done very well so she's happy. It's a funny few weeks now as they sort of feel like they are finished because they did the big end of year tests, but still plenty of learning to be done.

We have not had a good week. School have carried out the adhd assessment but apparently have other bits to do before it can be discussed with me.

I got called into school last week about behaviour, they are not following up on the in class stuff at the moment pending assessment but the other bits are causing issues - not doing as asked etc.

I think it's all linked in together - the (possible) adhd causing self esteem issues so continues in bad groups because she scared of breaking away, doesn't like to show she doesn't know stuff so doesn't ask and messes around.

It's very hard.

I have seen some courses offered so I'm hoping if the assessment indicates she will be referred then there is a chance of getting her on those courses. If not I may look at private counselling.

I just want the assessment back so I can do the bupa referral and get stuff kicked off before summer holidays.

@MaitreKarlsson hope the exam goes well and everything works out for the best. We definitely do stress (a bit too much at times I guess), it's hard not to worry ☺️

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky ah that's annoying, I really hope things pick up pace and you can get it all sorted before the holidays.

All good here, not much happening, results have come back in dribs and drabs. DS took part in the maths challenges and is currently trying to complete the coding challenge (made me realise how little I know about coding 😲)

@PuttingDownRoots – DD’s school introduced Spanish at the end of Y7 and they’ve all done Spanish and French in Y8, and I assume that will continue until the end of Y9. DD has found that most others learned Spanish at primary, though she did French. So they are coming at it from different amounts of experience. I think everyone has to do a language for GCSE in her school.

@MaitreKarlsson – have you reached a decision on whether to move your DD? Best of luck.

@RosieRiveting – it’s similar in DD’s school, with ‘end of year’ exams before May half term, and then still 1/6 of the year to go! DD has more assessments going on at the moment, which are just end of unit ones, but as the end of year reports have already come out, it feels a bit out of sync! Still, it’s better than them wasting the last few weeks of the school year, I guess.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky – that does sound tough. Do you have any idea when the school will be ready to discuss the assessment? It’s so close to the end of term now!

@CouldNotStayAway – well done to your DS with the challenges. DD was delighted to get a silver again in the maths one, which meant she didn’t have to do the second round! She is so determinedly anti-competitive🙄

It feels like the end of term is within touching distance as reports came through a couple of days ago. After being a bit disappointed with how vague the school’s termly progress reports had been, I was pleased to see something a bit measurable in the end of year report – they have given some basic tracking information along the lines of: “Students attaining X' in their Year 7/8/9 examinations have typically gone on to gain Grade Ys in those subjects at GCSE.” So they are not keeping us completely in the dark any more – though I realise it’s just a rough indication at this stage.

Just two and a bit weeks of Y8 to go...

@LetItGoToRuin

I had an email end of day yesterday saying when was I free to discuss, I then got a call today while I was in a meeting, she has gone when I called back. Hopefully we can speak tomorrow but I have quite a lot of meetings again unfortunately.

Fingers crossed the timings work and you get chance to have the call today.

Thanks for all the kind comments. She did well and got an interview, but it was super-competitive and she didn't ultimately get the place. So we are staying put.
It's a shame as I think we could all have done with a change of school! 😐
The summer break is coming at a good time really - I just hope year 9 ends up being a bit more fun for her.

@LetItGoToRuin no, I called twice today and could
Not get hold of her and she didn't call me. It's frustrating as the assesment was done a few weeks ago but they had to do the 'admin'

I had another call about behaviour today and it's really hard because I am trying to balance supporting the school with not making her feel worse about herself if it's stuff she cannot help.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky sounds extremely frustrating, I really hope you manage to get in touch very soon. I can only imagine how you're feeling right now. Hoping things move swiftly for you and your dd.

@MaitreKarlsson well done to your dd! Regardless of the outcome I hope she is proud of herself, it's not easy with all that pressure.

@CouldNotStayAway they rang just after I made that post.

They say she doesn't meet the threshold and feels there are issues but they are emotionally based and they want to go through some Interventions first which Cahms would also if they have tried. They also said there was no sign of hyperactivity which there had to be to refer - I am not sure I agree with that if it's inattentive adhd.

I think I may let them try the intervention's and I will reassess in September. Even if I go private today with the summer holidays it won't go anywhere anyway as the doctor would have to go back to the school.

The interventions would be around self esteem and resilience - I had sent details of two that I had seen in workshops I attended (advertised on flyers by the school) sent before to Senco but brushed off as well they cost money!

As those are listed symptoms of adhd I still think she ticks the boxes. Her dad is diagnosed so there is a genetic link as well!

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky how frustrating that they think she doesn't meet the threshold when you really have a lot of reasons to think that she should. It does sound as though going private may be the best option from here - but I see your point about the summer holidays getting in the way.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky there's nothing more annoying and frustrating than people brushing you off. I imagine money is a factor in some of these decisions, but that's unfair on your dd and you.

Going private after the holidays might be the best option for you.

Hope you and your dd have a lovely summer break.

Thanks @CouldNotStayAway @LetItGoToRuin

Interventions should start Monday so I think I will give it to the end of September and see if there is any improvement.

She kept stressing you could only refer to Cahms every 12 months and she didn't want to go before and have to wait. Not that I'm intending going through them.

The main friend who is an issue at school she doesn't see much out of school so I am hoping the long holiday breaks that bond a bit. I know she is away elsewhere in Europe for most of the summer.

I am probably catastrophising but I do think her self esteem and confidence is a high priority as I can see that potentially leading to other issues in her teen years in relationships and similar.

Is everyone done for summer now? We've still got two days to go, seems very unfair!

Yes, finished yesterday at 1pm. My daughter was happy to finish.

@Princesspollyyy 2 days to go here as well but they are offsite activity days.

Finished yesterday.
Her friend, over the county border, has another week!

Yes we finished yesterday too, although lots of schools around us are going on until Tuesday. DD is exhausted, I don't think she'd have coped if hers was one of them!

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky self esteem and confidence are so important. Hope the holidays help recharge and offer your dd a nice break.

Ds holidays started midday Thursday, so he's in full 'chill' mode!

Just waking up this thread in readiness for Y9!

Has everyone enjoyed their breaks? How are the DC feeling about going back?

DD seems fine – the all-important teaching group lists for Y9 were released a couple of days ago, and none of the ‘mean’ girls from her form are in her new teaching group, which is a big relief to her and to me.

@SweetsAndChocolates might you ask MNHQ to change the title of the thread to ‘Y9-2024/2025’?

DS goes back on Wednesday. I can't say he's looking forward to it...

Hello - I may have name-changed since I was last here. My DS really struggled in y7, y8 was a bit better but some of the friends he made last year won't be here in y9, so it feels a bit like starting from scratch.

We will see next week. He's hoping that they're going to stream them this year, but the school haven't confirmed this so we will see...

Wednesday return here as well. She's ok about it but nervous because it will be all new classes now they've chosen GCSEs. Double worry of potential for new teachers and not knowing who is going to be in her classes.

Wednesday for my daughter. Really worried about her as she suffers with anxiety and we had our beautiful pug PTS 8 days ago and she's struggling 😭

That's very sad @AutumnLeaves1990, I hope she and you are ok. Is it worth flagging with someone at school so they can keep an eye on her?