The teen has completed her Science core GCSE this year which is a year early. It is an approach that many schools now undertake. By taking either Science or English a year early it means that there is less to do in the final year and more time can be spent on other subject areas. For Chloe this means that her school will devote more time to English and Maths this year. Whilst this can be a risk for schools, as Ofsted now only count the first result for their data, even if the child retakes the exam the following year and improves the grade, it generally gives the students better outcomes.
As a parent I am pleased that Chloe has done Science this year as it gave her a taste of what will be required next year when she has more exams and revision to manage. She now understands how to revise and what is needed to be a successful learner. Seeing my timeline full of her friends and others we know finishing school this year and about to start A Levels I cannot believe where the time has gone. As a teacher I have seen many children pass through GCSE and A Levels but when it is your own it seems so very different. I saw on ffacebook yesterday that to enjoy our children as we only have them for 18 summers. This really resonated with me as childhood really does go fast.
I am already thinking ahead and I know in just two more years she will be filling in University applications and we will be visiting prospective University campus sites.
I don’t feel yet ready to let my daughter head off into the world of independance instead I want to enjoy my time with her. University also now costs so much and whilst I was always an advocate of letting children go and discover themselves at University and I would encourage them to head away from their home town now I wonder if that is always the right approach. Again it feels harder from a parents point of view than a teachers!
Young adults starting out with 30K of debt is a sobering reality and getting their first home is for many just a pipeline dream until much older now. I have already suggested that we make our home as attractive as possible in the vague hope that home is more appealing than university halls somewhere! In my head I would convert our attic space into a separate area that would give Chloe independance and privacy. In my mind I have it all planned out. Gentle slopping walls with velux windows and an en-suite with a shower for her. I even have the style mapped out with cream fixtures like these from Tile Flair. There would be a sofa up there for her to relax as well as a desk and area for work.
I know Chloe would go the whole way and she has already said that she would want a fridge up there too and a kettle! Just maybe this will be the way to stop time from taking her away from me! Or maybe I just need to remind myself that she knows we will support her whatever and that cheesy saying:
Just treasure them when they a little. It is easy to wish the years away, rush them from one stage to another but before you even take a breath they will be taller than you and moving on.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post
One Response
I like the idea of making me as attractive as possible to keep them at home. I’d best start saving up for that games room. xx