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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Higher education

Is there any need to be physically in the UK on A level results day....

57 replies

cruusshed · 17/02/2016 13:45

We anticipate a bit of horse trading.....but can this all be done online/by phone.

Any risks being outside of UK (France) at this time?

I imagine it will "feel" more stressful....

OP posts:

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OurBlanche · 17/02/2016 13:48

No, none at all. Your DC can look up their results online, UCAS may or may not crash during the morning, but a quick look at their tracking will tell them what the result of their results are, if you see what I mean.

Many colleges send emails too! Ask and see what your school/college can do.

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Leeds2 · 17/02/2016 13:55

I think it is perfectly manageable from outside the UK, as long as you have decent phone/internet connections. That said, I wouldn't want my DD to be in that position because I think she would physically prefer to be in school and get face to face advice from teachers.

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eatyourveg · 17/02/2016 13:56

As long as there is access to a computer it should be easy enough although lots of students may prefer to be here so that they can go into school for advice from people who know them should things not got to plan

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cathyandclaire · 17/02/2016 13:57

We found it easier to be at home, DD dropped a grade, we went into school and they were helpful and proactive about re-marks and contacting her firm choice of uni. I know others who drove to other Unis to look for clearing etc. DD was also devastated so it helped to be in a safe familiar environment. Before results I would have absolutely said it didn't matter where you were-but with the benefits of the retrospectoscope I wouldn't go away.

In the end she moved up a grade on re-mark and all was well but it was a miserable, stressful time.

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eatyourveg · 17/02/2016 13:57

almost identical post!

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OurBlanche · 17/02/2016 14:00

But don't cancel a holiday for a grade. You can request a regrade for a little while after. You can email school and they will probably be onto it anyway.

We always had someone on the phones, checking emails on the day. Our A level students cam from all over the UK and world, so many were not with us on the day. If you let school know they will put some support in place for you!

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BeeppityBeep · 17/02/2016 14:02

If you can guarantee decent internet and phone then it should be ok. You can do everything by phone.
Last year we spent what felt like hours on the phone and Internet as DS applied for adjustment (successfully). I made sure we were in the UK and at home for each of my DCs.

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Ohtobeskiing · 17/02/2016 15:31

Hmmm - sorry but I'm not so sure. If all goes to plan and grades are good and firm choice of uni accepts then all well and good but what if things don't go to plan? I know at dd's sixth form the tutors etc are NOT available to take phone calls on the day of results - they are too busy seeing people in person.

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OurBlanche · 17/02/2016 15:41

That seems short sighted of them. But as I said, we had lots of far flung students and so catered for them as a mater of course.

Still worth asking at school, to see what they suggest.

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homebythesea · 17/02/2016 16:15

don't they want to be with their friends on the day too??

We made the massive mistake of being away for GCSE results - a lot less at stake but highly stressful, (grades were border line for acceptance at 6th form). I really wouldn't risk it, obviously you hope there is no issue but of there is having familiar people on hand (and friends) to advise/console is worth more than being away IMVHO

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stonecircle · 18/02/2016 04:00

I wouldn't want to be away. DS's school asks parents to avoid being away on results day. Lots of teachers in school that day and following days to offer help and advice if things haven't gone to plan, but so much easier to have conversations face to face than on the phone. But primarily, if things have gone to plan, a great day to be in school, with all your mates and then go out celebrating afterwards. DS2 was on a real (natural!) high last year on results day and he just wanted to be with his mates.

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stareatthetvscreen · 18/02/2016 04:06

dd was in canada last year on her results day - it was all fine

results were sent by college to all student via e mail anyway

we made 1 phone call to her chosen uni but it wasn't necessary, was just more to double check we had no further action to take

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TalkinPeace · 18/02/2016 16:53

No need at all

unless you get bad results in which case it can be the shittiest few days of your life waiting to get home and work out what to do next

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Coldwatebay · 18/02/2016 17:23

We were in USA on a level day. No problems

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Indantherene · 18/02/2016 17:35

We were elsewhere in the UK and it was very stressful (results not as good as hoped). Wouldn't want to be trying to sort out from abroad.

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Decorhate · 18/02/2016 19:04

Afaik (I work at a school) remarks can only be requested if the pupil physically signs the form. If there is any chance you will need a priority remark then I personally wouldn't like to risk being out of the country. If a uni place is being held pending the remark you have only a couple of weeks at the most.

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stonecircle · 18/02/2016 20:04

Given that the op anticipates 'a bit of horse trading' being out of the country seems a bit unwise. All sorts of scenarios can arise. One of DS2s friends missed his firm offer at Exeter by one grade. They offered him a place at the Falmouth campus, which he'd never considered or been to. He was on the train the next day to go and have a look so he could be sure he was making the right decision when he turned it down and went for his insurance instead.

If things do go wrong, it's good to be able to get advice, support and reassurance from friends and teachers in person rather than via a telephone link. DS3 has AS results this year and A2 next. No way would I consider being away when his results come out.

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rightsaidfrederickII · 18/02/2016 20:24

If she gets the grades for her firm or insurance, then all is well and dandy.

However, if she misses her grades and ends up in Clearing (which may happen even if you don't expect it) then she will benefit from being in the UK where she can
a) access her teachers and their advice readily - it is likely that they will be in school for one day and will then be unobtainable until term begins in September
b) ring universities without having to worry about call charges - you may be on hold for a very long time.
c) go to any Clearing open days - these are often held a few days after Clearing (the Saturday, two days later, perhaps)

Oh, and she'll probably want to go out with her friends afterwards ;)

If possible, I would recommend being in the UK for results day.

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cruusshed · 18/02/2016 21:29

Thanks all. Yes in his situation he is now unlikely to meet his firm offer (as he has had marks back from Art A level). So we know it will not be smooth - I think also the emotional stuff celebrating/commiserating with his friends that he has been through school with for many years is an important right of passage!

OP posts:

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NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 18/02/2016 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cruusshed · 18/02/2016 21:54

Can anyone ever turn up face to face at the department? or is all done online/phone? Would it be a waste of time (ie locked out of an admin dept)? - rather than showing commitment/desperation!

OP posts:

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rightsaidfrederickII · 18/02/2016 21:57

It's all done on the phone. Universities have a well oiled machine for dealing with Clearing applicants, and it doesn't account for people turning up in person.

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Micah · 18/02/2016 22:06

Friend of mine had a place at oxbridge. Genius girl, guaranteed A's (no a* then).

Family went off on holiday. Results were AAAC- with the C in her best, and chosen subject.

Turned out it was a simple typo somewhere. But by the time they got back and got it all sorted out the oxbridge place was gone and she went through clearing with about a million UCAS points.

So i wouldnt based on that. But that was pre-internet though.

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disquit2 · 19/02/2016 08:31

Turned out it was a simple typo somewhere. But by the time they got back and got it all sorted out the oxbridge place was gone and she went through clearing with about a million UCAS points.

But in such circumstances Oxbridge are obligated to give her the place that was offered.

Can anyone ever turn up face to face at the department?

This would be pointless as the majority of academics are not directly involved with admissions and would not be present anyhow (summer period, so often abroad on research visits).

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Molio · 19/02/2016 08:42

What do kids at boarding school do? Since this isn't a question of UK v abroad, it's a question of away anywhere or at home.

We're always away on results day, although within the UK, but since the date is published so far ahead I always get a mega cheap ticket back for the DC in question and they do the round trip of a thousand plus miles just in case things go wrong, also (as a secondary thing) because they go out with friends after results. The key thing is to have access to Ho6 advice in the event of a screw up and to be able to sign forms for re-marks if that's what's advised. The Ho6 deals with people who bother to show up ahead of those who don't, which is fair. But it's a day school and I assume boarding schools have different processes. It's fine for me to be at the end of a phone to the school as a mummy; I really wouldn't risk it for the DC, particularly not with the abolition of modules. Before that you could pretty much gauge your worst case results but it's a brave new world now.

I'd get a ticket back for your son now OP, while there are bargain fares to be had!