Son stressed with gcse studies

pollypenny

Firstly, can you find extra help so that your son does not have to be your carer?

Otherwise, 7 hours on school work is far too much; I'm wondering if he is behind with work because of his caring duties.

It would be a good idea to drop one of his GCSEs unless it is a crucial one. Obviously not Maths, English or English Lit, but consider his potential career. He should keep an humanities subject, geog or history, his sciences and preferably a language. if he's likely to go into design areas, than a design subject is clearly needed.

pollypenny

Mupette wrote: »

English, teacher has lost ds, coursework, i assumed that if teacher admits liability then they have to just give they grade they estimated he would of got for that particular piece of work... nope ds has to do it all over again, by missing other lessons, ok ds isn't bothered it gets him out of p.e. and music, both of which he will get a D he is tone deaf and no good at music, and P.E. teacher said he doesnt do well with contact sports but the lad will always be prepared to give everything a go.

English course work being redone has it's bonus, its Shakespear that ds hates, original coursework was 2 pages, he has been chuffed to pieces that he is on page 7 now by re doing it.

((hug))

That is disgraceful! You should make a formal complaint! I worked with a twit who was always losing coursework but got away with it.

Secondly, any English teacher who cannot convey a passion for the best writer in the world should not be teaching!

xxdeebeexx

I would say to let him drop it too but, having been a teacher, would strongly suggest that the time gained is spent doing something other than school work so tha he can unwind and lighten his mood. Time away from studying lets the info 'sink in'. He needs a balanced approach of study, relaxation and a bit of fun and laughter thrown in.

And.... if the worst happens there's always re sits.

Good luck

Dx

minimad1970

At my son's school they actually recommended that he take one less subject, he has aspergers and ADHD. He has support studies instead, where they are able to catch up on anything they are behind with. This has worked out really well for him and he has more time to concentrate on his other subjects. He is still doing 11 exams and has really good predicted grades in all of them (mainly B's). You have to do what will be most beneficial for your son not for the school. Good Luck.

uolypool

Thank you all so much for all your replies, I shall go back and thank you all in a min:D.The course he wants to drop is German, I have has a chat with his teacher this morning who is keen to keep him on the course but has said he will struggle to get a D .She has said that he is putting so much effort in but is getting nowhere , but she cannot understand why he cant get to grips with the subject as he is a bright boy.She has said that she will give him extra help if he wants to stay on the course and to take the next few days to think about it all and get back to her next week.
He wants to become a primary school teacher when he is older . As for the carer part it breaks my heart that he along with his brothers and sister have to do all they do to help me, even if I told him to stop he wouldnt as he knows how much I suffer ,its just the way he is.Its a real catch 22 situation, he is putting so much pressure upon himself , I've looked in his school planner and the amount of homework they are being given is MASSIVE honestly thats not exaggerated either.He bought home his science revision guide home for example earlier this week it was 258 A4 pages both sides long:eek:.Its no wonder that children are stressed.We are having a meeting with the head of yr 11, subject tutor and a senior member of staff on monday to see whats going to happen.I have given him my blessing to drop the course if he wants to as his health is more important to me than anything else.He is on course for all his other subjects being a B -A* so he should have more than enough grades to get him into 6th form to do his Alevels.

uolypool

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

I would let him drop it. Exams are important yes, but the well being of your son is more important and it sounds like he is doing more than enough already - I would be very proud of him.

Thank you POPPYOSCAR I am so so proud of him.It brings a lump to my throat each time I think of it, thats just me being a proud parent though I guess;)

Mojisola

uolypool wrote: »

.The course he wants to drop is German, I have has a chat with his teacher this morning who is keen to keep him on the course but has said he will struggle to get a D .She has said that he is putting so much effort in but is getting nowhere , but she cannot understand why he cant get to grips with the subject as he is a bright boy.She has said that she will give him extra help if he wants to stay on the course and to take the next few days to think about it all and get back to her next week.

All that work for a predicted D! I'd drop that like a shot.

POPPYOSCAR

uolypool wrote: »

Thank you POPPYOSCAR I am so so proud of him.It brings a lump to my throat each time I think of it thats just me being a proud parent though I guess;)

I have watched on tv about children that are carers and it has sometimes brought me to tears because the children have been so lovely and good natured and so hardworking. A child that is a carer AND working so hard at schoolwork you have every right to be very very proud indeed.I bet not everyone can say that about their children.

Mupette

I have been a child carer, and my son is now mine.

I have looked into help with this, and unfortunately there is diddly squat, social services had a club he could of attend as respite from me, but i would of had to driven him there and back, 30 miles each time in the evening and weekends. (no bus route) he wasn't interested, and that is the point the child needs to be interested in it, not forced to attend.

But saying that ds is an air cadet now, which isn't too far and in nicer weather he cycles, (no bus route)

German... yeah i'm with team drop it, he can pick it up again later if he needs to have German.

Better to de-stress the poor lad, and concentrate on maths and English.



pollypenny

well ds isn't one of lifers greatest readers, me when i can concentrate will love my nose stuck in a book, but ds and his father are not avid book readers.

he is happy he is re doing his work, it is extra marks than he would of got, and he want's to do it. - If he didn't then yes i would of been on the phone.

phunkles

Id be incredibly proud of your son uolypool
It might be worth looking at your sons timetable though how many hows a week does he have allocated to German and if he were to drop the subject where would he realistically go for those timetabled hours and would he be marked as present??? It could work out that your sons school is happy for him to drop the course but to go to the timetabled room (which would be German) but to spend his time doing other subjects coursework or revision during this time (plus he would get marked in on a register)However the German teacher might not like this idea of having him in the room doing other subjects work? So it might be an idea to have a couple of suggestions ready for your meeting of where he could go during the timetabled hour(s)
Most schools have a centre for learning could he go there? Would he work in the library under his own steam? Would the library be happy with this? Would another subject teacher be willing to have him in their room for those hours ie a subject hes slightly behind in and could work on with minimal disruption to the teachers actual timetabled lesson (IT is normally a safeish bet depending on what course hes following OCR nationals Level 2 is very much a tick box course for example).

Its not just as simple as him dropping it, he does need to have a place to go during the school timetabled slot, but I agree it does seem silly 7hours a night and only to get a D - however he could always surpass that predicted grade