The downward slope

I have noticed that, despite their very real need to do the opposite, most of my Year 11 students have ‘checked out’ of school – mentally [and some literally]. After being so disheartened (and doubting myself) about most of the results they got in the practice exams I was relieved (for myself NOT them) to hear that they had done as badly across the board. I am trying to provide them with all sorts of different types of activities but they seem more interested in chatting and looking at photos of boys than staying on task.