About 10 or so years ago I was told by my two's primary school teachers that a) D needed to write more, that he was bright enough but letting himself down by not writing enough, possibly lazy, and b) K was a daydreamer who could write more if she didn't spend so much time staring into space. Both kids were working at above 75% of the rest of the class so there was NO possibility of any special needs - ok, so you can see where this is going, eh.
Fast forward to 5 years or so ago, and after a year or two of home educating one or both of them the penny dropped that all wasn't well. I had many rows with D about his 'laziness'. In the end I took my concerns to my GP who referred us on to the community paediatrician - who complained that he was 'too old'. Maybe if school had said that things needed investigating then we would have been there years earlier, but hey I'm only a parent who expected the school to KNOW if things were a bit off.
D ended up with a diagnosis of dyspraxia (general motor clumsiness) and dysgraphia (issues with the mechanics of writing). We've since added some dyslexia to the mix as his spelling and pronunciation can be interesting/unique. He's happy as he has an Educational Psychologist (EP) report giving him permission to use a laptop in class and exams plus 25% extra time in exams.
K can be quite jealous of D getting my attention so at the time all his diagnostic work was going on I got a book out the library and read out some of the possible SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties - not to be confused with learning disabilities) that were going on with him to help her understand why he needed my attention at that time. At one point I read out about Irlen Syndrome - where the written word flies around the page, rather than keeping still - and she said "You mean, writing doesn't fly around the page for you?" The poor girl thought it was normal for this to happen so, of course, she'd never mentioned it. Cue a visit to the optician for some colorimetry testing (using different colour lenses till you find out which colour makes the writing stay still) and £100+ for the right pair of glasses. Not long after, I took her out of school as she wasn't coping with changing classrooms and the work load.
K has always been 'different'. Even now I'm not sure which planet she's on but it's not always this one. Her take on reality is not typical either but she tries hard to stay in this one - when it becomes too much, look out! Anyway, K found cursive writing too hard. All those flicks and ticks to get in the right place, especially when you have to work out how to join it to the next letter in the word. So, once she was out of school, I 'made' her print instead. She was much happier, and even more so when I passed her my laptop and told her to do it that way. She thought we were cheating till I told her I'd rather she'd be able to edit it till it looked right without any 'messy' comments that her teachers were happily doling out. Besides, who'd know. Plus her confidence needed a boost, and the ability to produce good, neat work was important to us all.
K also qualified for 25% extra time and the use of a PC/laptop in exams. This enabled her to get a C at Cambridge IGCSE English (similar to the old English Language O-Level in content) a year early. I only entered her to give her a taste of what was required. We were all gobsmacked with her result. By 16 she had added Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (C), Edexcel GCSE Maths (A) and OCR GCSE Biology (C) to her tally and off she went to college, full of nerves (lots of people) and high expectations (AS's in Double Science, Philosophy and ICT). She soon made friends and her confidence and self-esteem grew.
I'd pre-warned the college's Learning Support Unit (LSU) as to what to expect. They were willing to help her with support in and out the classroom, essay writing workshops, etc. Unfortunately K decided that she was fine and didn't need the help. In January K had a full EP assessment done which she told me suggested dyslexia and dyspraxia - no mention of the Asperger Syndrome which I suspected might be in there somewhere. At parents evening her teachers gave me the impression that whilst she wasn't A grade material, she wasn't totally useless either. Unfortunately her AS results brought her crashing down to Earth big time (an E and 2 U's).
So I have spent the last week holding her and drying her tears. She was ready to quit college because she was stupid (something I hadn't heard in a while). To be honest I was very worried about her, hence another reason it has been quiet on here. On Tuesday of this week she had her course choice morning at college. Whilst she was in the hall having some lecture or other (Welcome back, here's how to fill in your UCAS stuff, etc) I collared the head of LSU and asked if I could see K's EP report as I hadn't had a copy. She said that Kshould have had a copy to give me but for whatever reason I never saw it. Anyway, we sat and went through it (I have my copy now) and it was a real eye opener. K's verbal and non-verbal skills are up above 90% (as in 90% of people her age are equal or worse than her). Her processing skills (as in what her brain does with the information she reads/hears) is 2% (as in 98% of people her age are better than her at processing the information). That is one hell of a discrepancy - in fact, less than 1% of the population would have this size defecit. Bl**dy H*ll!!!
It's no wonder she made such a bad job of her exams. To be fair to the college the LSU are not allowed to frogmarch needy students into extra support, unlike at school where they can (but getting them to admit there's a problem in the first place is damn near impossible if you're smart with it). As it was explained to me recently, if you are predicted C's then schools won't bother as you're hitting the league table requirement. It's only if you are predicted D's/high E's will they make an effort to boost you to the magic C and that all important tick in the 5 A* - C box in the charts.
We are currently researching assistive software/hardware that will enable K to get the most from her next 2 years at college. She needs something(s) to help her organise her written work (intro, middle, end), take notes in class (dictaphone, pre-made notes from the teacher, notetaker in class), make sure she has correctly interpreted what she is supposed to be doing (class assistant, follow-up in LSU), and honest feedback from her class teachers instead of "oh, she's lovely". K has totally changed her courses. Now she is doing a Level 3 BTEC in IT (continuous assessments that she can re-write to improve) and AS Photography (she's decent with a camera but time will tell whether she's arty-farty enough). Both teachers are aware of her individual needs - one of the teachers is dyslexic too so says she understands (we'll see) - so I'm hoping that things will be better.
The college has a policy that for each subject you drop you have to replace it. The double award Applied Science counts as 2 courses so she was expected to replace it with 2 new AS's. The head of LSU and I both agreed that, for K, this was NOT an option. The head of LSU said that if the curriculum management team wouldn't budge then she would play the disability discrimination card and to send them to her if they were awkward. Needless to say, all is now well for K and she has replaced 4 AS's with the equivalent of 3 AS's plus plenty of time in the LSU for dyslexia assistance/confidence building/essay skills/show us what you're doing and we'll make sure you're on the right path help/etc.
The EP report suggests possible assistive stuff and we are looking to try before we buy. I'm also hoping the LSU might have some to play with. Now I've had time to digest the report I'll be contacting the head of LSU to see if I can get an appointment for a week on Tuesday (K has to go in to get her bus pass/timetable/etc) so that we can start the ball rolling on some of this stuff. I've looked it up on the internet and some of it seems a very good idea - shame it's so darned pricey, which is why I want to get K to try it first. If it really is going to benefit her she can have it, I'll make the necessary sacrifices, but I'm not forking out hundreds of pounds to find it doesn't help her.
So ladies and gentlemen, should you find yourself in the position I found myself in all those years ago - kids aren't producing the work at an appropriate level/volume but are very clever and therefore can't possibly have special needs (according to the teachers) - make sure you get them assessed. Fight the school, LA, go to your GP. Whatever you do, don't think that the teachers know what they're talking about.
I feel that, in a way, I wasted the 4 years K was home educated as I didn't push a lot of dyslexia therapy at her. With D, all he needed was an alternative recording method (typing) and he was able to play on a level field. With K, she needed more and I missed it! Don't let guilt get you.
Showing posts with label home education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home education. Show all posts
Friday, 27 August 2010
Monday, 10 May 2010
This working woman's lot is not a happy one
I feel worn out. It's not tiredness - as in could fall asleep anywhere. It's a total loss of energy/go/drive (call it what you will). Let me give you a bit of history to help put it all in context.
I last worked outside the home full-time in June 1991, which is when I quit to be A's company secretary - aka money for nothing much. Since then I have done the full-time housewife/mother routine, and let no one tell you that it is the easy option. You work just as hard but don't get paid. Then in April 2004 I started home educating D and we were joined, in October 2005, by K. Our life had a certain routine - certain activities happened on certain days, etc. Then in September 2009 I had no kids 'at home'. They were both at college. I was left to find a new role. I dabbled at finding a job but my heart wasn't really in it. A couple of friends suggested I take up a local job agency's advert for exam invigilators. After all, I was doing it for free for the local home education group. This led to odd days of basic admin work. Then, the NHS job came along.
I was originally sent in for 3 hours a day for 3 days. No problem. The money wasn't as much as I'd earned previously but it would be a new experience. That was in early February this year and I'm STILL there, doing 4 full days per week (the 5th day being at college doing AAT). Suddenly I had to find time to do the housewife/mother stuff. The kids are helpful but pretty much only when told what needs to be done. And, for the most part, the same can be said about A. Admittedly he's finally worked out how to use the washing machine - assuming he remembers to do any - but he's never voluntarily dusted or hoovered (dust allergy so unfair to expect it), cleaned the bathroom, ironed, taken on the weekly shop (unless I am not in a fit state, when I usually go for a delivery service), made sure the kids are doing their chores properly (ok, maybe occasionally but usually when I have nagged him to make an effort); and hardly ever worried about things like making sure we are ready for Christmas, birthdays, etc.
Some people were quick to point out that he works SO hard and I (until February) was at home all day, so therefore it was my job to do all that. And I did it all with barely a moan. But now I WORK TOO. And to be honest it just feels like if I don't ask someone to do something then no-one else but me can see it needs to be done.
In recent times (the past few years) I have been having a few issues with my memory and processing - things slipping my mind, and using the wrong word or getting them the wrong way round - and things have been getting worse in the past year or so. Stress seems to make it worse. I've had a few stressors at work lately. A suggests that if work is getting me like that I should quit. Now, I know he means that exactly as he says it, but there is a part of me that wonders if his subconscious would then feel less guilty about relying on me to remember everything/notice everything that needs doing. He'd deny it, and I'd feel bad about accusing him of this; honest, it's just me feeling a misery guts. A has never been any good at remembering things. I know that but my issues are getting to the stage where I can't be trusted either, and I can feel myself getting more worked up trying to make sure that I don't forget things (because A is bloody useless at it).
Hands up who can see who's going to deal with the lion's share (or even all of it) of when FIL moves down here. And keep those hands up if you think that, whilst I'm up in Nottingham sorting that end out, bugger all housework-type stuff gets done down here.
I last worked outside the home full-time in June 1991, which is when I quit to be A's company secretary - aka money for nothing much. Since then I have done the full-time housewife/mother routine, and let no one tell you that it is the easy option. You work just as hard but don't get paid. Then in April 2004 I started home educating D and we were joined, in October 2005, by K. Our life had a certain routine - certain activities happened on certain days, etc. Then in September 2009 I had no kids 'at home'. They were both at college. I was left to find a new role. I dabbled at finding a job but my heart wasn't really in it. A couple of friends suggested I take up a local job agency's advert for exam invigilators. After all, I was doing it for free for the local home education group. This led to odd days of basic admin work. Then, the NHS job came along.
I was originally sent in for 3 hours a day for 3 days. No problem. The money wasn't as much as I'd earned previously but it would be a new experience. That was in early February this year and I'm STILL there, doing 4 full days per week (the 5th day being at college doing AAT). Suddenly I had to find time to do the housewife/mother stuff. The kids are helpful but pretty much only when told what needs to be done. And, for the most part, the same can be said about A. Admittedly he's finally worked out how to use the washing machine - assuming he remembers to do any - but he's never voluntarily dusted or hoovered (dust allergy so unfair to expect it), cleaned the bathroom, ironed, taken on the weekly shop (unless I am not in a fit state, when I usually go for a delivery service), made sure the kids are doing their chores properly (ok, maybe occasionally but usually when I have nagged him to make an effort); and hardly ever worried about things like making sure we are ready for Christmas, birthdays, etc.
Some people were quick to point out that he works SO hard and I (until February) was at home all day, so therefore it was my job to do all that. And I did it all with barely a moan. But now I WORK TOO. And to be honest it just feels like if I don't ask someone to do something then no-one else but me can see it needs to be done.
In recent times (the past few years) I have been having a few issues with my memory and processing - things slipping my mind, and using the wrong word or getting them the wrong way round - and things have been getting worse in the past year or so. Stress seems to make it worse. I've had a few stressors at work lately. A suggests that if work is getting me like that I should quit. Now, I know he means that exactly as he says it, but there is a part of me that wonders if his subconscious would then feel less guilty about relying on me to remember everything/notice everything that needs doing. He'd deny it, and I'd feel bad about accusing him of this; honest, it's just me feeling a misery guts. A has never been any good at remembering things. I know that but my issues are getting to the stage where I can't be trusted either, and I can feel myself getting more worked up trying to make sure that I don't forget things (because A is bloody useless at it).
Hands up who can see who's going to deal with the lion's share (or even all of it) of when FIL moves down here. And keep those hands up if you think that, whilst I'm up in Nottingham sorting that end out, bugger all housework-type stuff gets done down here.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Getting on with things
Just a quick post to let all my loyal followers - there's more than two of you, right? - know that I'm still alive. I've not fallen out with anyone; it's just the job agency I'm registered with (for temping) has suddenly decided I'm a useful asset. Therefore what starts out as a fairly low key week rapidly turns into a mad dash between contracts.
I love it! So if I'm overdue a visit to you I apologise profusely. You're on my list of things to do, honest. Alongside revise for up and coming AAT exams, get stuck into some of the tedious but essential NVQ stuff associated with this course, give my CV the WOW!!! factor, housework (again, tedious but essential), sorting out who owes what at the home ed group (and finding the time to remind them - work keeps getting in the way), and sorting out the last few items of clothing for K's half-term ski trip to Austria with Explorers. And if I'm really lucky I might find time to move this blog to Wordpress. It takes a lot of setting up - for technonumpty me - but the usability is a lot of fun. It took me all afternoon (at the weekend) to get the Running From Trouble blog set up, and 10 seconds to copy across all the posts from the blogspot version.
So if you see a demented woman, running between Fareham and Whiteley with a manic look in her eyes, it'll be me.
PS Jill, the jacket is great! Perfect image of the business woman.
I love it! So if I'm overdue a visit to you I apologise profusely. You're on my list of things to do, honest. Alongside revise for up and coming AAT exams, get stuck into some of the tedious but essential NVQ stuff associated with this course, give my CV the WOW!!! factor, housework (again, tedious but essential), sorting out who owes what at the home ed group (and finding the time to remind them - work keeps getting in the way), and sorting out the last few items of clothing for K's half-term ski trip to Austria with Explorers. And if I'm really lucky I might find time to move this blog to Wordpress. It takes a lot of setting up - for technonumpty me - but the usability is a lot of fun. It took me all afternoon (at the weekend) to get the Running From Trouble blog set up, and 10 seconds to copy across all the posts from the blogspot version.
So if you see a demented woman, running between Fareham and Whiteley with a manic look in her eyes, it'll be me.
PS Jill, the jacket is great! Perfect image of the business woman.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
More work!
Just a short one.
I'm a happy bunny this evening. Earlier my agency rang to offer me 2 days work. This should bring in about £100 so of course I said yes. Unfortunately it means I can't attend the Home Ed session on Thursday wearing my Treasurer's hat. I've e-mailed the group list offering them all an alternative way of paying me. Fingers crossed they actually follow it.
I'm a happy bunny this evening. Earlier my agency rang to offer me 2 days work. This should bring in about £100 so of course I said yes. Unfortunately it means I can't attend the Home Ed session on Thursday wearing my Treasurer's hat. I've e-mailed the group list offering them all an alternative way of paying me. Fingers crossed they actually follow it.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Plans
OK so I must be at about Plan J for the future by now. My 'butterfly' brain looks for new solutions if the current plan doesn't instantly yield the intended result. This is something I need to work on.
All the previous plans 'failed' because none of the jobs I've applied for in the past 12 months, quite a few, haven't even offered me an interview. Yes, the economy is in the sewer, but for someone who's previously got the first job she applied for this is a whole new game. I need to learn patience and understand that it's not the fault of the plan; the plan just needs time to come to fruition.
I still want to be an accountant, I still want to continue studying for the AAT qualifications. But I'm BORED!!!! College is creeping along at a very slow pace and we're not allowed to go on ahead as then we'd be too far ahead of the others, so we have to twiddle our thumbs waiting for them to finish that chapter. I've tried patience, really I have, but I am just fed up. Part of me would like to quit but then I couldn't get on to the next level so I've got to tough it out. My frustration isn't helped by more NVQ portfolio work which, although it isn't related to accounts, is required to pass this level. This time I have to provide evidence of what I do at work - I'm allowed to use what I do for the Home Ed group - and how I manage my time, how I cope with deadlines, etc, etc, etc. Oh and the best one is The Advantages/Disadvantages of Teamwork. Me, I prefer to be left alone to get on with it, only occassionally conferring with anyone else. Hardly the stuff of positive teamwork, eh?! So you have been warned. The next few weeks will probably see the most amazing outbursts of temper this side of your average 2 year old.
I'm already pretty much decided (hence Plan J) to change to a distance learning provider for the next year's Level 3 course. This is subject to being allowed to race ahead when the going is easy AND that the NVQ stuff in that is covered by all that I have done/will do for this year.
All the previous plans 'failed' because none of the jobs I've applied for in the past 12 months, quite a few, haven't even offered me an interview. Yes, the economy is in the sewer, but for someone who's previously got the first job she applied for this is a whole new game. I need to learn patience and understand that it's not the fault of the plan; the plan just needs time to come to fruition.
I still want to be an accountant, I still want to continue studying for the AAT qualifications. But I'm BORED!!!! College is creeping along at a very slow pace and we're not allowed to go on ahead as then we'd be too far ahead of the others, so we have to twiddle our thumbs waiting for them to finish that chapter. I've tried patience, really I have, but I am just fed up. Part of me would like to quit but then I couldn't get on to the next level so I've got to tough it out. My frustration isn't helped by more NVQ portfolio work which, although it isn't related to accounts, is required to pass this level. This time I have to provide evidence of what I do at work - I'm allowed to use what I do for the Home Ed group - and how I manage my time, how I cope with deadlines, etc, etc, etc. Oh and the best one is The Advantages/Disadvantages of Teamwork. Me, I prefer to be left alone to get on with it, only occassionally conferring with anyone else. Hardly the stuff of positive teamwork, eh?! So you have been warned. The next few weeks will probably see the most amazing outbursts of temper this side of your average 2 year old.
I'm already pretty much decided (hence Plan J) to change to a distance learning provider for the next year's Level 3 course. This is subject to being allowed to race ahead when the going is easy AND that the NVQ stuff in that is covered by all that I have done/will do for this year.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Clever child - part 3
Now it's K's turn.
We spent a chaotic day last Thursday running around Hampshire, rounding up results from 2 different exam centres. Normally this wouldn't have been a problem but, as you'll read in the next post, I had other things that I really needed to be doing.
First to Portsmouth to meet a friend outside a private school that allowed our Home Education group to enter Maths GCSE private candidates. Friend went in to collect the envelopes whilst those of us who'd made the trek waited nervously outside. Not sure who was worse, us mums or the kids. Good news!!! K got an A!!
Then off to Hilsea to another friend to get a haircut - am now sporting a quite short 'do'. No more hair in food - other than what falls out naturally while I am cooking.
Then we called in at Cosham Tesco to grab sandwiches and drinks from the chiller - not the best form of nourishment but it's not something we make a habit of. Then into their Krispy Kreme outlet for some donuts to take home.
Then calling near home to drop D off so he could go to Iceland and get some frozen chicken for tea, and he walked home from there.
Then it was off to Southampton, right in the centre, to fetch K's ICGSE Chemistry results - IGCSE is international GCSE, a little harder than GCSE and a 'no coursework' option. This was the make-or-break result. Her college courses depended on her getting a C or better. So our nerves were stretched near to breaking point.
AND SHE DID IT, SHE GOT HER C!!!!!!! K was leaping around, squeaking, and nearly in tears of relief. I was numb, also with relief. Remember, I was marking her mocks and I could see how she struggled to remember the facts. I was not convinced she would get the grade. Once again she proved me wrong (she got a C in English last year when I predicted an E). She has been gracious enough NOT to rub my nose in it.
So tomorrow we are off to her chosen college to present her grades and confirm her courses for the coming year.
We spent a chaotic day last Thursday running around Hampshire, rounding up results from 2 different exam centres. Normally this wouldn't have been a problem but, as you'll read in the next post, I had other things that I really needed to be doing.
First to Portsmouth to meet a friend outside a private school that allowed our Home Education group to enter Maths GCSE private candidates. Friend went in to collect the envelopes whilst those of us who'd made the trek waited nervously outside. Not sure who was worse, us mums or the kids. Good news!!! K got an A!!
Then off to Hilsea to another friend to get a haircut - am now sporting a quite short 'do'. No more hair in food - other than what falls out naturally while I am cooking.
Then we called in at Cosham Tesco to grab sandwiches and drinks from the chiller - not the best form of nourishment but it's not something we make a habit of. Then into their Krispy Kreme outlet for some donuts to take home.
Then calling near home to drop D off so he could go to Iceland and get some frozen chicken for tea, and he walked home from there.
Then it was off to Southampton, right in the centre, to fetch K's ICGSE Chemistry results - IGCSE is international GCSE, a little harder than GCSE and a 'no coursework' option. This was the make-or-break result. Her college courses depended on her getting a C or better. So our nerves were stretched near to breaking point.
AND SHE DID IT, SHE GOT HER C!!!!!!! K was leaping around, squeaking, and nearly in tears of relief. I was numb, also with relief. Remember, I was marking her mocks and I could see how she struggled to remember the facts. I was not convinced she would get the grade. Once again she proved me wrong (she got a C in English last year when I predicted an E). She has been gracious enough NOT to rub my nose in it.
So tomorrow we are off to her chosen college to present her grades and confirm her courses for the coming year.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
My bad!
Apparently, my daughter hates me. This is not your typical teenage angst. My crime? Getting her interested in possibly studying AS Maths at college as well as her other choices. (You know how she is with decision-making).
K is on course to get an A at least at Maths GCSE, and this will be her best grade at this level. To me it seems a little strange to not go on and study something that you have an ability at. Admittedly, she is not as naturally intuitive as her brother.
Yesterday we were sat in a cafe having a toasted cheese and ham ciabatta sandwich each when I told her about such things as number theory, remainder theory, and group theory - and the attendant things like Cayley tables. These things are part of the Open University course MS221 and are a lot of fun. They can also elicit some swearing. Last night I was looking at Bletchley Park, a possible trip during half-term in May. They have some maths resources, looking at how maths is used in making, and breaking, codes - from genetic fingerprinting through encryption to how ISBN numbers are created for books. I showed it K and she is now working through the units (her choice). These units are aimed from KS2 (7 - 11 yrs) all the way to A-Level (18 yrs).
K is on course to get an A at least at Maths GCSE, and this will be her best grade at this level. To me it seems a little strange to not go on and study something that you have an ability at. Admittedly, she is not as naturally intuitive as her brother.
Yesterday we were sat in a cafe having a toasted cheese and ham ciabatta sandwich each when I told her about such things as number theory, remainder theory, and group theory - and the attendant things like Cayley tables. These things are part of the Open University course MS221 and are a lot of fun. They can also elicit some swearing. Last night I was looking at Bletchley Park, a possible trip during half-term in May. They have some maths resources, looking at how maths is used in making, and breaking, codes - from genetic fingerprinting through encryption to how ISBN numbers are created for books. I showed it K and she is now working through the units (her choice). These units are aimed from KS2 (7 - 11 yrs) all the way to A-Level (18 yrs).
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Playing Catch Up - again
The snow has been and gone - for now. We are all getting back to normal. Most of the downstairs of the house is fur free - it's amazing how much he shed. The running routine is coming back and the weight-loss is progressing slowly.
D has decided that being home educated for the past 4.5 years has given him the edge over his classmates at college, as he is used to finding things our for himself and not waiting for the teacher to come along and help him solve his problems. Now I just have to hope he continues this at university.
K has a bit of a sniffle and a lot of attitude today. She reckons she didn't sleep well last night so I've told her to get her light out earlier tonight.
A is also sniffly, and feeling quite sore this evening. He came out for a run with me this afternoon and now his knees and back are letting him know they exist!
I have a serious urge to spring-clean - no I'm not pregnant! This has caused a few aches in the neck and shoulders but my osteopath friend is on the case.
We were supposed to be going to Nottingham this weekend. However the snow that has fallen between here and there has put this off for a couple of weeks or so. It's a shame really as we adults were hoping that it would be just the two of us. The kids are getting to that age where they don't always want to do what we do and we think they are ready to be left overnight (having been babysitting for themselves for at least a couple of years now).
D has decided that being home educated for the past 4.5 years has given him the edge over his classmates at college, as he is used to finding things our for himself and not waiting for the teacher to come along and help him solve his problems. Now I just have to hope he continues this at university.
K has a bit of a sniffle and a lot of attitude today. She reckons she didn't sleep well last night so I've told her to get her light out earlier tonight.
A is also sniffly, and feeling quite sore this evening. He came out for a run with me this afternoon and now his knees and back are letting him know they exist!
I have a serious urge to spring-clean - no I'm not pregnant! This has caused a few aches in the neck and shoulders but my osteopath friend is on the case.
We were supposed to be going to Nottingham this weekend. However the snow that has fallen between here and there has put this off for a couple of weeks or so. It's a shame really as we adults were hoping that it would be just the two of us. The kids are getting to that age where they don't always want to do what we do and we think they are ready to be left overnight (having been babysitting for themselves for at least a couple of years now).
Saturday, 10 January 2009
You don't want the flu
Trust me, I'm an expert!
The 104 F fever broke on Christmas night. By Boxing Day I was down to a manageable 100 F, and believe me it made a lot of difference. I got up at lunch time and managed to eat a sandwich, the first real meal I'd eaten since Tuesday. During the afternoon I played a few hands of cards with the family, making sure I was sat away from FIL. Then it was back to bed till the following day.
It took till New Year's Eve before I could face going out shopping. Over Christmas our dishwasher gave up the ghost - not funny when there are 7 of you to feed and wash up after. So on New Year's Eve A and I braved the cold and the crowds (what crowds, I've seen worse on a typical Sunday in Southampton) and went to John Lewis. Our new toy arrived 2 days ago and the kids are very happy. We are just waiting for the special offer pan set to arrive (out of stock of course). Needless to say I was very tired after the trip into town. However I managed to stay up till after midnight but had to forego any partying.
One thing I have noticed is that my memory is not up to speed. Someone at our local Home Ed group apologised for not sending me an e-mail over the festivities, containing some information he thought I should read. I needed a lot of prompting to recall that he was supposed to do this and what it was all about. I find myself getting distracted from the job in hand and then forgetting to go back and finish off - I now know how A feels as this is his default position.
Tiredness is still an issue, albeit diminishing slowly. I am finding it hard to wake up before 8.30. During the holidays it was 9.30 and more usually it was 10.00. This was despite going to bed and being asleep by 11pm.
I have been avoiding as much social contact as I can. My immune system has taken a battering over the last 2 - 3 months and I'd like it to recover. As I sit and type this I am feeling snuffly. Last night I sneezed a few times. No more illness, please!
This cold weather is supposed to go tomorrow. Everyone keeps saying that it should kill off all the germs. So how come so many people are ill?!
The 104 F fever broke on Christmas night. By Boxing Day I was down to a manageable 100 F, and believe me it made a lot of difference. I got up at lunch time and managed to eat a sandwich, the first real meal I'd eaten since Tuesday. During the afternoon I played a few hands of cards with the family, making sure I was sat away from FIL. Then it was back to bed till the following day.
It took till New Year's Eve before I could face going out shopping. Over Christmas our dishwasher gave up the ghost - not funny when there are 7 of you to feed and wash up after. So on New Year's Eve A and I braved the cold and the crowds (what crowds, I've seen worse on a typical Sunday in Southampton) and went to John Lewis. Our new toy arrived 2 days ago and the kids are very happy. We are just waiting for the special offer pan set to arrive (out of stock of course). Needless to say I was very tired after the trip into town. However I managed to stay up till after midnight but had to forego any partying.
One thing I have noticed is that my memory is not up to speed. Someone at our local Home Ed group apologised for not sending me an e-mail over the festivities, containing some information he thought I should read. I needed a lot of prompting to recall that he was supposed to do this and what it was all about. I find myself getting distracted from the job in hand and then forgetting to go back and finish off - I now know how A feels as this is his default position.
Tiredness is still an issue, albeit diminishing slowly. I am finding it hard to wake up before 8.30. During the holidays it was 9.30 and more usually it was 10.00. This was despite going to bed and being asleep by 11pm.
I have been avoiding as much social contact as I can. My immune system has taken a battering over the last 2 - 3 months and I'd like it to recover. As I sit and type this I am feeling snuffly. Last night I sneezed a few times. No more illness, please!
This cold weather is supposed to go tomorrow. Everyone keeps saying that it should kill off all the germs. So how come so many people are ill?!
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Oh for a simple life
I'm STILL coughing and I'm not overly impressed. It's now just over 3 weeks since I got this virus and if I wake up tomorrow with no symptoms at all it will not be a minute too soon.
I haven't heard anything from the full-time trainee international shipping clerk interview I went to. As far as my hazy recollection goes (all that excess catarrh production gummed up the memory banks) I was supposed to hear at the end of last week. My referees haven't been contacted so no news is bad news.
I did go for another interview last Friday as a part-time media lab assistant at Southampton's General Hospital. This would see me making batches of algar, ordering supplies and checking them off the files as they are delivered, etc. There is no chance of any promotion to something more technical. And don't get me started about parking! Oh alright then, I'll get started. There is NO parking on site for staff, only doctors and patients/visitors. Underlings have to find a parking space where they can in the surrounding area. Most of the streets have a maximum parking limit of 2 hours so that's not much use. From where I live I would need to catch 2 buses each way, adding a total of about 4 hours to my working day - not a chance! Fortunately I didn't get that job either.
On Tuesday I found an advert for a Trainee Legal Executive with the County Council, paying £18K - £21K. Now that is what I call a starting salary! You only need a minimum of 4 GCSEs and a willingness to take ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) qualifications so you can lose the Trainee tag. So far so good.
On Wednesday I spent a good proportion of the day at a local Special School, the one that I put myself through the Great South Run for. The headmaster had organised a Vision Day where he, the staff and the therapists could discuss the school's needs and aims for the future. Friend A & I were invited to attend as we have been asked to fundraise the megabucks needed to bring some of this into fruition. Unfortunately friend A couldn't make it so I went alone, armed with a big notebook. The wishlist was divided into 'Short Term', 'Medium Term' and 'Blue Sky' (aka what you'd like if there was a blank cheque book involved). Let me tell you that there was a lot of consensus in all three categories and none of it was particularly cheap. Primarily the school needs more storage space. The size of the equipment that some of the pupils need is huge and there's just nowhere to put it. A good proportion of the attendees would like to knock the building down and start again. This building has been up since roughly the 70s, but wasn't designed with children with mobility issues in mind. Looks like we're going to be busy raising money, which is going to be interesting given the current financial climate.
Today I was having a good think about the Trainee Legal Exec. job. With it being 37 hours per week and studying on top there certainly wouldn't be enough time (or sanity) left to help the school. Husband A had already said that jumping straight back into full-time work after 17+ years as a housewife/mother might be a bit much, and he didn't want me to overdo it. He likes the starting salary for this position (and who wouldn't) but he agrees that I would be beyond exhausted by the end of the week, and that is not good for family harmony.
I suppose it sounds like I'm running from a challenge, and maybe I am. But A's original suggestion to me was to find a part-time job, so obviously a salary below £10K is acceptable to the family budget. This would then leave me time and energy to devote to raising funds for the school, as well as the usual housework/shopping/supervising K's education/etc.
This evening I found another job, part-time, wanting administrative support for the Children's Services team. These have a lot of dealings with children with special educational needs (SEN) and the knowledge I would gain there would certainly be helpful in my fundraising capacity.
Decisions, decisions.
I haven't heard anything from the full-time trainee international shipping clerk interview I went to. As far as my hazy recollection goes (all that excess catarrh production gummed up the memory banks) I was supposed to hear at the end of last week. My referees haven't been contacted so no news is bad news.
I did go for another interview last Friday as a part-time media lab assistant at Southampton's General Hospital. This would see me making batches of algar, ordering supplies and checking them off the files as they are delivered, etc. There is no chance of any promotion to something more technical. And don't get me started about parking! Oh alright then, I'll get started. There is NO parking on site for staff, only doctors and patients/visitors. Underlings have to find a parking space where they can in the surrounding area. Most of the streets have a maximum parking limit of 2 hours so that's not much use. From where I live I would need to catch 2 buses each way, adding a total of about 4 hours to my working day - not a chance! Fortunately I didn't get that job either.
On Tuesday I found an advert for a Trainee Legal Executive with the County Council, paying £18K - £21K. Now that is what I call a starting salary! You only need a minimum of 4 GCSEs and a willingness to take ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) qualifications so you can lose the Trainee tag. So far so good.
On Wednesday I spent a good proportion of the day at a local Special School, the one that I put myself through the Great South Run for. The headmaster had organised a Vision Day where he, the staff and the therapists could discuss the school's needs and aims for the future. Friend A & I were invited to attend as we have been asked to fundraise the megabucks needed to bring some of this into fruition. Unfortunately friend A couldn't make it so I went alone, armed with a big notebook. The wishlist was divided into 'Short Term', 'Medium Term' and 'Blue Sky' (aka what you'd like if there was a blank cheque book involved). Let me tell you that there was a lot of consensus in all three categories and none of it was particularly cheap. Primarily the school needs more storage space. The size of the equipment that some of the pupils need is huge and there's just nowhere to put it. A good proportion of the attendees would like to knock the building down and start again. This building has been up since roughly the 70s, but wasn't designed with children with mobility issues in mind. Looks like we're going to be busy raising money, which is going to be interesting given the current financial climate.
Today I was having a good think about the Trainee Legal Exec. job. With it being 37 hours per week and studying on top there certainly wouldn't be enough time (or sanity) left to help the school. Husband A had already said that jumping straight back into full-time work after 17+ years as a housewife/mother might be a bit much, and he didn't want me to overdo it. He likes the starting salary for this position (and who wouldn't) but he agrees that I would be beyond exhausted by the end of the week, and that is not good for family harmony.
I suppose it sounds like I'm running from a challenge, and maybe I am. But A's original suggestion to me was to find a part-time job, so obviously a salary below £10K is acceptable to the family budget. This would then leave me time and energy to devote to raising funds for the school, as well as the usual housework/shopping/supervising K's education/etc.
This evening I found another job, part-time, wanting administrative support for the Children's Services team. These have a lot of dealings with children with special educational needs (SEN) and the knowledge I would gain there would certainly be helpful in my fundraising capacity.
Decisions, decisions.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Did you miss me?
It was the summer holidays and not much was happening here in Dark Corner. The kids were quite happy to bask in the afterglow of their exam results. K got back into studying last week and is making inroads into Maths, Chemistry, Latin, French, ICT, and Ancient History. She only plans to sit exams in the first two, the rest are to build up a portfolio to impress college ready for next year.
Speaking of college, D has had his first day today. It was an orientation day - to meet their tutor and the other students in the tutor group, to sign up for some extra-curricula activities, sign up for a NUS Extra card and bag lots of discounts at various places, sign up for the gym, get a library card, check out the college cafes, grab a locker, etc. He's really hyper. He's made a couple of friends, one of whom has almost the same timetable as him, and signed up for basketball and archery. The NUS team gave him a free UV anti-theft marker to write his postcode on all his valuables, so he's been busy finding things to mark. His timetable has plenty of gaps in it so he has room to do most of his homework at college. In fact, he hasn't shut up since he got in. Long may it continue.
I have a few possibilities on the job front, all office-based. Fingers crossed one of them comes up trumps. A is working hard, as usual, and liaising with D on which nights D will need a lift home from college.
Speaking of college, D has had his first day today. It was an orientation day - to meet their tutor and the other students in the tutor group, to sign up for some extra-curricula activities, sign up for a NUS Extra card and bag lots of discounts at various places, sign up for the gym, get a library card, check out the college cafes, grab a locker, etc. He's really hyper. He's made a couple of friends, one of whom has almost the same timetable as him, and signed up for basketball and archery. The NUS team gave him a free UV anti-theft marker to write his postcode on all his valuables, so he's been busy finding things to mark. His timetable has plenty of gaps in it so he has room to do most of his homework at college. In fact, he hasn't shut up since he got in. Long may it continue.
I have a few possibilities on the job front, all office-based. Fingers crossed one of them comes up trumps. A is working hard, as usual, and liaising with D on which nights D will need a lift home from college.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Tigger is still in da house!
A lot has happened since my last post. I went back up to Nottingham to finish FIL's front room, so that was me absent Friday - Tuesday. K came with me and we had a great time.
On the Thursday before we left we all went to college to collect D's A-level Maths result. My 16 year old boy got a Grade B! Despite getting an E in one module! Is he satisfied? Is he heck! He wants a Grade A. To be fair all the universities he'd like to go to want an A so he really should try again on a couple of modules.
Today we went into Portsmouth to pick up D and K's GCSE results. D got a Grade D in Geography. He's a bit disappointed but didn't really like the subject so is not too upset. Hopefully college won't hold it against him - bet there aren't many students doing 3/4 A-levels with only 3 A* - C GCSEs. K got a Grade C in Biology. She was quite upset as she was hoping for a B. So she is planning to resit over the next year. If she wants to do A-level Biology she needs the B.
All in all not a bad haul for them. K has proved she CAN cope with exam pressures and do a sterling effort into the bargain - something I didn't think would happen this side of college.
Looks like Home Education hasn't done them any harm.
On the Thursday before we left we all went to college to collect D's A-level Maths result. My 16 year old boy got a Grade B! Despite getting an E in one module! Is he satisfied? Is he heck! He wants a Grade A. To be fair all the universities he'd like to go to want an A so he really should try again on a couple of modules.
Today we went into Portsmouth to pick up D and K's GCSE results. D got a Grade D in Geography. He's a bit disappointed but didn't really like the subject so is not too upset. Hopefully college won't hold it against him - bet there aren't many students doing 3/4 A-levels with only 3 A* - C GCSEs. K got a Grade C in Biology. She was quite upset as she was hoping for a B. So she is planning to resit over the next year. If she wants to do A-level Biology she needs the B.
All in all not a bad haul for them. K has proved she CAN cope with exam pressures and do a sterling effort into the bargain - something I didn't think would happen this side of college.
Looks like Home Education hasn't done them any harm.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Tigger is in da house!
The last week or so has been spent in nervous anticipation of when the IGCSE results would be published. They usually come out earlier than A-Levels and GCSEs. The I stands for International. These are the exams sat by other countries or private schools. As far as I know state schools are not allowed to offer them, which is a shame as most are quite a bit more rigorous than their GCSE counterparts. If you're interested in reading more try http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications (IGCSE is listed in the 'Popular Qualifications' box on the left) or http://www.edexcel-international.org/home and click on qualifications. Scroll down the list on the left-hand side and click on IGCSE. Finding somewhere to sit the exams can be quite tricky but we found somewhere in Bristol willing to support my two with extra time and PC access (all signed for by Educational Psychologists).
Anway, back to the story. The nice man from the Exam Centre phoned this afternoon to say the results were available. Both D and K got grade Cs!!!!!! D entered the Extended Tier (Higher Tier equivalent). He needed a C or better to avoid all that English Lit. stuff at college for the next year or so. K entered just to see what it was like and she did the Core Tier (Foundation Tier equivalent). Grade C is the highest grade on that tier. She ran round the house crying and squealing "I got a C!" with a grin a mile wide all at the same time. (I've checked the windows and none of them have shattered).
A & I are a complex mix of relief (at D's), shock (at K's) and joy (for both of them). We promised D a meal out if he passed so we're heading for the Indian buffet restaurant on Thursday evening for a fixed price pig out! FIL is staying for a few days and he is just as chuffed as we are.
For those of you who don't know D & K, a grade C is one heck of an achievement for them. D has always hated writing and creative writing in particular. His school books (from when he went to school) were full of comments along the lines of "Scruffy work. Be neater next time." to "Lazy boy! I know you can do better than this!". Hence his hatred of the subject was very well entrenched. He didn't do any formal English for nearly 2 years after leaving school. In that time we found that his handwriting speed was appalling (4 words per minute average) but his typing speed was better (14 words per minute). He still balked at creative writing. Thanks to the care, talents and, above all, patience of three ladies at our local HE group he learnt the tricks needed to get the marks. By Easter his essays had much improved and I dared to hope he could get a C. He did!
K has issues with understanding and using language, particularly when she has to assimilate a lot of it at once. She doesn't qualify for a diagnosis of semantic/pragmatic language disorder but certainly exhibits some traits. We entered her this year (a year early, she's not 15 till tomorrow) just to see how she would do and to give her a taste of what the English exam is like. She didn't attend half the lessons that D did at our local group as she found the workload too much. However one of the Mums said she would mark any work that K did out of the text books. I wasn't allowed to see any of it! Obviously this was the way to go.
So we are all bouncing off the walls like Tigger!
Anway, back to the story. The nice man from the Exam Centre phoned this afternoon to say the results were available. Both D and K got grade Cs!!!!!! D entered the Extended Tier (Higher Tier equivalent). He needed a C or better to avoid all that English Lit. stuff at college for the next year or so. K entered just to see what it was like and she did the Core Tier (Foundation Tier equivalent). Grade C is the highest grade on that tier. She ran round the house crying and squealing "I got a C!" with a grin a mile wide all at the same time. (I've checked the windows and none of them have shattered).
A & I are a complex mix of relief (at D's), shock (at K's) and joy (for both of them). We promised D a meal out if he passed so we're heading for the Indian buffet restaurant on Thursday evening for a fixed price pig out! FIL is staying for a few days and he is just as chuffed as we are.
For those of you who don't know D & K, a grade C is one heck of an achievement for them. D has always hated writing and creative writing in particular. His school books (from when he went to school) were full of comments along the lines of "Scruffy work. Be neater next time." to "Lazy boy! I know you can do better than this!". Hence his hatred of the subject was very well entrenched. He didn't do any formal English for nearly 2 years after leaving school. In that time we found that his handwriting speed was appalling (4 words per minute average) but his typing speed was better (14 words per minute). He still balked at creative writing. Thanks to the care, talents and, above all, patience of three ladies at our local HE group he learnt the tricks needed to get the marks. By Easter his essays had much improved and I dared to hope he could get a C. He did!
K has issues with understanding and using language, particularly when she has to assimilate a lot of it at once. She doesn't qualify for a diagnosis of semantic/pragmatic language disorder but certainly exhibits some traits. We entered her this year (a year early, she's not 15 till tomorrow) just to see how she would do and to give her a taste of what the English exam is like. She didn't attend half the lessons that D did at our local group as she found the workload too much. However one of the Mums said she would mark any work that K did out of the text books. I wasn't allowed to see any of it! Obviously this was the way to go.
So we are all bouncing off the walls like Tigger!
Thursday, 12 June 2008
One down, one to go
My little boy, D, sat his last GCSE this afternoon. He's now technically finished compulsory education, though the official finishing date for Yr 11s is 30th June.
I've already warned him that although he has no studying to do, he needn't think he's lying in bed till lunchtime or playing on the computer all day. I'd like to be kept in chocolate brownies and muffins, he can help in the garden and do chores, oh and he can keep dipping into the relevant A-level books on the shelf in the dining room. And if he can find himself paid employment he's excused all of the above.
Evil? Moi?
If you asked D how he thought the Home Education had gone for the past 4 years and whether it was worth it, you'd get a resounding yes! He's a happy soul and ready to face whatever the world throws at him. Tomorrow he's going to Explorers (Sea Scouts for older kids) and is planning, subject to him earning the money, some sailing holidays in the next 12 months - without parents.
I've already warned him that although he has no studying to do, he needn't think he's lying in bed till lunchtime or playing on the computer all day. I'd like to be kept in chocolate brownies and muffins, he can help in the garden and do chores, oh and he can keep dipping into the relevant A-level books on the shelf in the dining room. And if he can find himself paid employment he's excused all of the above.
Evil? Moi?
If you asked D how he thought the Home Education had gone for the past 4 years and whether it was worth it, you'd get a resounding yes! He's a happy soul and ready to face whatever the world throws at him. Tomorrow he's going to Explorers (Sea Scouts for older kids) and is planning, subject to him earning the money, some sailing holidays in the next 12 months - without parents.
Monday, 19 May 2008
Big changes are afoot
I went to the big Sainsbury's at Hedge End today. I used a small trolley, not much bigger than a basket. It was beginning to overflow by the time I got the checkout. Imagine the shock when the bill came to just a smidge over £77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There was no alcohol in that and it wasn't even a full week's shopping. If food prices keep climbing like this the obesity epidemic will be over fast - no-one will be able to afford to eat!
Petrol is now £1.14 + per litre and that's at the supermarkets, traditionally the cheapest place to fill up. We haven't been hard-up since before the kids were born but we're certainly feeling the pinch now. And of course the odd unexpected expense keeps happening. A's car needs two new tires, Scooby goes to see a physio tomorrow, I really need to see the osteopath (next week now), etc, you get the picture?!
So A has decided that if I could get a job he would appreciate it. I've offered before, many times, but he's always said that it wasn't necessary. Now it would come in handy. He's going to ask around at his place to see what clerical/admin jobs are going. I'd prefer part-time for a start as K will still be home educated for another year, but she's big enough to be left and can do basic housework - no, she won't be doing all of it, she needs to study more than I need a housekeeper.
I have enjoyed being a stay-at-home-mum and full-time housewife. We are such rarities these days. However, duty calls.
Petrol is now £1.14 + per litre and that's at the supermarkets, traditionally the cheapest place to fill up. We haven't been hard-up since before the kids were born but we're certainly feeling the pinch now. And of course the odd unexpected expense keeps happening. A's car needs two new tires, Scooby goes to see a physio tomorrow, I really need to see the osteopath (next week now), etc, you get the picture?!
So A has decided that if I could get a job he would appreciate it. I've offered before, many times, but he's always said that it wasn't necessary. Now it would come in handy. He's going to ask around at his place to see what clerical/admin jobs are going. I'd prefer part-time for a start as K will still be home educated for another year, but she's big enough to be left and can do basic housework - no, she won't be doing all of it, she needs to study more than I need a housekeeper.
I have enjoyed being a stay-at-home-mum and full-time housewife. We are such rarities these days. However, duty calls.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Proud Mum Moment!!!
D has performed a major miracle! For the first time ever he has been given a B for English. He managed to do it for a mock exam paper too. He's playing it down and feeling embarrassed about it - typical teenager. He reckons that no-one else needs to know because then he can't use the excuse that he's bad at English. I reckon the whole world needs to know as he was pretty much written off in that subject when he was at school.
Geography, however, is going to be a skin of the teeth pass - if the wind is in the right direction.
Geography, however, is going to be a skin of the teeth pass - if the wind is in the right direction.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Vindication?
A few weeks ago D had to go to for an Educational Psychologist's assessment. He first had one 2 years ago as his handwriting is slow, laborious, unreadable and he does as little as possible of it. Back then he was given permission for extra time (slightly slow processing speed) and either a scribe or a laptop to do the written work. I rang the Ed Psych who did this assessment and asked if I needed a new one for this year's exam-fest. Apparently the reports last 2 - 3 years so she just sent me a covering letter basically saying carry on as before.
The college where D goes on Wednesday evenings for his Maths A2 classes - yes he's only just 16 but you can't keep a smartie-pants down - decided they'd like their own Ed Psych to have a look at him. And they didn't even offer to charge me for the privilege - as D is under their usual age remit they would have been within their rights to (£300 +).
The report came back yesterday. His handwriting speed has improved from 4 words per minute (wpm) to 10 wpm. His typing speed has improved from 9 wpm to 19 wpm. 19wpm is the average HAND writing speed for his age so the report said that access to a laptop/PC for exams was a definite must. She also saw first-hand how he needs time to sort his thoughts out and put them in to some semblance of order, so he can still have extra time (up to 25% extra). Also his spelling, although better than the majority of his peers, is slightly down compared to his other cognitive abilities - all above average of highly able.
All the way through his school career, which finished 4 years ago thanks to me showing some guts to home educate, he was constantly admonished for shoddy writing and feeble output - it would take him all lesson to write a few sentences. A & I weren't too bothered by the scruffy writing - have you seen ours?! I wish that we had pushed for some form of assessment or that school had mentioned that it might help. Instead we weren't too concerned and they seemed happy to accept that.
My son is no longer the nervous wreck he was 4 years ago. He is no longer too scared to talk to anyone he doesn't know (he used a bit of humour with the Ed Psych lady this time and I was banned from going in with him), he is no longer shouted at for being lazy or not trying hard enough and he has blossomed.
This is the college he is going to in September. D has 2 GCSEs from 2 years ago (Maths - A; Chemistry - B), a pass at an OU short course (S194 - Introducing Astronomy), a pass at CLAIT Dreamweaver (web-site builder thingy), and a B at AS Maths. This summer he is finishing his A2 Maths, GCSE Geography and IGCSE English. This college has accepted him to do 3 more A Levels - Further Maths, Chemistry and Computing - and if he fails his English he can have 2 years to do the GCSE instead of the usual one!
They are also offering free access to the Study Support Unit to help him organise his studies and make sure he's up to speed on all he's supposed to be doing. They're going to give him a laptop for the 2 years he'll be there and provide scribes for his lessons to take notes as D can't cope with doing that and listening to the teacher at the same time. They are putting him into the Gifted & Talented stream and will make sure he gets lots of extra-curricular experience.
They have a University Admissions Co-Ordinator who will make sure he applies to the best universities because he's obviously very bright (their words 5 months ago). D has decided that he fanices Oxford, followed by Nottingham. Not bad for the boy who, 18 months ago, wasn't going to college full-time (adult education classes were it), wasn't going to Uni (Open University instead), couldn't contemplate mixing with his peers at all, and was scared to go out once the schools let out for the day.
So if there's anyone out there who is considering home education for their child(ren), it is no barrier to post-16 education. Nor does it mean that you can't reach for the stars.
The college where D goes on Wednesday evenings for his Maths A2 classes - yes he's only just 16 but you can't keep a smartie-pants down - decided they'd like their own Ed Psych to have a look at him. And they didn't even offer to charge me for the privilege - as D is under their usual age remit they would have been within their rights to (£300 +).
The report came back yesterday. His handwriting speed has improved from 4 words per minute (wpm) to 10 wpm. His typing speed has improved from 9 wpm to 19 wpm. 19wpm is the average HAND writing speed for his age so the report said that access to a laptop/PC for exams was a definite must. She also saw first-hand how he needs time to sort his thoughts out and put them in to some semblance of order, so he can still have extra time (up to 25% extra). Also his spelling, although better than the majority of his peers, is slightly down compared to his other cognitive abilities - all above average of highly able.
All the way through his school career, which finished 4 years ago thanks to me showing some guts to home educate, he was constantly admonished for shoddy writing and feeble output - it would take him all lesson to write a few sentences. A & I weren't too bothered by the scruffy writing - have you seen ours?! I wish that we had pushed for some form of assessment or that school had mentioned that it might help. Instead we weren't too concerned and they seemed happy to accept that.
My son is no longer the nervous wreck he was 4 years ago. He is no longer too scared to talk to anyone he doesn't know (he used a bit of humour with the Ed Psych lady this time and I was banned from going in with him), he is no longer shouted at for being lazy or not trying hard enough and he has blossomed.
This is the college he is going to in September. D has 2 GCSEs from 2 years ago (Maths - A; Chemistry - B), a pass at an OU short course (S194 - Introducing Astronomy), a pass at CLAIT Dreamweaver (web-site builder thingy), and a B at AS Maths. This summer he is finishing his A2 Maths, GCSE Geography and IGCSE English. This college has accepted him to do 3 more A Levels - Further Maths, Chemistry and Computing - and if he fails his English he can have 2 years to do the GCSE instead of the usual one!
They are also offering free access to the Study Support Unit to help him organise his studies and make sure he's up to speed on all he's supposed to be doing. They're going to give him a laptop for the 2 years he'll be there and provide scribes for his lessons to take notes as D can't cope with doing that and listening to the teacher at the same time. They are putting him into the Gifted & Talented stream and will make sure he gets lots of extra-curricular experience.
They have a University Admissions Co-Ordinator who will make sure he applies to the best universities because he's obviously very bright (their words 5 months ago). D has decided that he fanices Oxford, followed by Nottingham. Not bad for the boy who, 18 months ago, wasn't going to college full-time (adult education classes were it), wasn't going to Uni (Open University instead), couldn't contemplate mixing with his peers at all, and was scared to go out once the schools let out for the day.
So if there's anyone out there who is considering home education for their child(ren), it is no barrier to post-16 education. Nor does it mean that you can't reach for the stars.
Saturday, 22 March 2008
Spreading his wings
D has just got back from spending an afternoon in Portsmouth. Up until now his wanderings have taken him as far as Southampton on Sundays to play Warhammer at Games Workshop. Today he's been wandering the shops with a few friends from our local Home Education group. I think plans are afoot to do it again.
Some of you might think "So what. He's 16." D is not your typical teenager. Since he came out of school he has been wary of people his own age (isn't bullying wonderful!), so this is a milestone for him. And I'm proud of him.
Some of you might think "So what. He's 16." D is not your typical teenager. Since he came out of school he has been wary of people his own age (isn't bullying wonderful!), so this is a milestone for him. And I'm proud of him.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Back to what passes as normal here
I've been a bit under the weather for the last couple of days but am back to my usual chaotic self today. I blame Thursdays. Not any particular one, but ALL of them. Thursday is the day that our local Home Education group runs its Maths and English GCSE sessions, and I encourage two of the Maths students. I use the word encourage because I am not a qualified teacher and I do not teach in the traditional way. My role, as I see it, is to explain what isn't understood, remind them of deadlines for exam entries and coursework submission, and check their coursework, make observations on its suitability and content, and just generally crack the whip. If they don't hand in work for me to look at then I assume that all is well. I do check on what they're doing and comment accordingly. It's not onerous or time-consuming, yet I find myself exhausted.
My two students are very well-behaved. They just tend to find other things more interesting sometimes - like pulling silly faces at two girls who sit near by and who respond in kind. But, you know, I like them both - even though one in particular is needing some frequent whip-cracking. I really hope they both do well this summer.
My two students are very well-behaved. They just tend to find other things more interesting sometimes - like pulling silly faces at two girls who sit near by and who respond in kind. But, you know, I like them both - even though one in particular is needing some frequent whip-cracking. I really hope they both do well this summer.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
It's done! And other educational ramblings
At last! All the coursework for the upcoming exams in May/June went in the post this afternoon. We are all feeling light-headed and very silly, and very relieved of course.
I always thought that coursework would give my two the chance to get some marks squirreled away before the exam proper. It's worth an average of about 20-30%, though in ICT it is much more (60+%). Instead it is the source of much head-banging (by me), tears and tantrums (by K), and leaving everything to the last minute (by D & K). D got his tears and tantrums out the way two years ago when he did GCSEs in maths and chemistry. He still wants to leave it to the last minute but at least understands (vaguely) what is involved. All in all the stress levels in this house climbed exponentially as the March deadline approached. So tonight I will be making inroads into a bottle of wine - if any of you catch me on MSN then please excuse the wild sense of humour and awful spelling.
Getting the coursework done and marked seems to be the hardest bit of doing exams when home educated. The powers that be don't consider us 'alternatives' when tinkering with things educational. I understand that coursework is to be dropped and replaced with some sort of in-school tasks. Quite how we're supposed to manage that I don't know - makes me glad that mine will be beyond GCSEs by that time.
Next year (2009) K will be taking IGCSEs instead - in maths, chemistry and maybe physics. There are two different exam boards that offer them, Edexcel International and Cambridge International. There are more exam venues that sit the Edexcel version. The difficulty lies in finding somewhere willing to accept you as a private candidate. We've been quite lucky there. A secondary school in Portsmouth will happily accept private candidates for GCSE. However my two are doing the Cambridge IGCSE for English and my options are tiny. There are very few places in the UK that do them so we're invading Bristol on two Friday afternoons in May.
My friend B keeps telling me to just skip this stage and go straight on to Open University. It certainly hasn't held her 3 boys back to have no GCSEs. One of them is off to university! I know she's right but part of me just can't let go of the traditional mentality. D has done and passed an OU short course but I don't think K is quite ready to try them yet. We may give one a go later in the year.
I always thought that coursework would give my two the chance to get some marks squirreled away before the exam proper. It's worth an average of about 20-30%, though in ICT it is much more (60+%). Instead it is the source of much head-banging (by me), tears and tantrums (by K), and leaving everything to the last minute (by D & K). D got his tears and tantrums out the way two years ago when he did GCSEs in maths and chemistry. He still wants to leave it to the last minute but at least understands (vaguely) what is involved. All in all the stress levels in this house climbed exponentially as the March deadline approached. So tonight I will be making inroads into a bottle of wine - if any of you catch me on MSN then please excuse the wild sense of humour and awful spelling.
Getting the coursework done and marked seems to be the hardest bit of doing exams when home educated. The powers that be don't consider us 'alternatives' when tinkering with things educational. I understand that coursework is to be dropped and replaced with some sort of in-school tasks. Quite how we're supposed to manage that I don't know - makes me glad that mine will be beyond GCSEs by that time.
Next year (2009) K will be taking IGCSEs instead - in maths, chemistry and maybe physics. There are two different exam boards that offer them, Edexcel International and Cambridge International. There are more exam venues that sit the Edexcel version. The difficulty lies in finding somewhere willing to accept you as a private candidate. We've been quite lucky there. A secondary school in Portsmouth will happily accept private candidates for GCSE. However my two are doing the Cambridge IGCSE for English and my options are tiny. There are very few places in the UK that do them so we're invading Bristol on two Friday afternoons in May.
My friend B keeps telling me to just skip this stage and go straight on to Open University. It certainly hasn't held her 3 boys back to have no GCSEs. One of them is off to university! I know she's right but part of me just can't let go of the traditional mentality. D has done and passed an OU short course but I don't think K is quite ready to try them yet. We may give one a go later in the year.
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