Year 11, A bit of a marathon

Year 11, it's a bit rubbish really. The first few weeks are really, really tough. But they won't stay that way. 

They're tough because your teen is hitting a particular developmental milestone that means hormones are flying, brains are growing wildly and the results are, let's say, a little tumultuous.

They're tough because, all while this biological whirlwind is happening, your teen has suddenly realised (or school has told them) that there isn't actually a year to go to the exams, there's only a few months.

They're tough because school puts the pressure on, loading up the homework, expecting students to revise on top and constantly reminding them of just HOW IMPORTANT GCSEs are.

Why do schools do this? The current system puts teachers under enormous stress. They are judged by their pupils' results, but they are not given sufficient time or resources in school to cover all the content and teach the skills for exam success. So, if teachers are to get students the grades they hope for, the only option is to load them up with extra work. Most teachers will do exactly this, ignoring that each student has about 8 or 9 or sometimes even 10 other subjects that are doing the exact same thing.

What does this mean for us as parents?Well, I don't need to tell you it's super stressful.

All I can say is hold tight. Year 11 is actually a marathon, not a sprint, but one where the starter gun has got everyone running flat out. It will slow down. You will get into the swing of things. You may have to make some sacrifices for the next few months. For some students, that will mean working less hard on less 'important' subjects; for others, it will mean dropping back on after-school activities. There's no right or wrong way; you must decide what works for you (or rather, your teen must decide with your gentle guidance). 

You will get through this. Keep going. You're doing great.