Cross with DS's School over GCSE Remark

[Icequeen01]

Sorry to remind everyone of the whole GCSE results day trauma but I'm really cross with DS's school (and ourselves if I'm honest). On results day my DS was shocked by both his English gradess, which were both C's. He was expecting a B or possibly an A. On the actual morning he got his results his Head of English spoke to him and advised him to get his English Language paper remarked and also told him that the school were considering sending off all the literature papers as the grades were all so low. We also,subsequently spoke to her and she reiterated this to us and that they would be in touch with their decision.

Yesterday my DS told us school had told everyone they were not going for a remark as a sample had been sent off to examining board but all had come back with the same marks. I do understand their decision but today DS got his remark back for his Language paper and it has been remarked as a B. I phoned the school and said we would pay to have the other English paper remarked ourselves only to be told the remarking deadline was last Tuesday! Exam officer said students had been reminded of the deadline but I explained we hadn't done anything as we assumed as we hadn't heard from them that they were were asking for the remark (stupid in hindsight!).

I know there is nothing we can do now and I am cross with ourselves for not being more pro-active but I'm still disappointed for him. He did OK in his exams (bright but very lazy boy ) who got 1 A and 9 B's and now 1C May be this will act as a kick up the pants for his A levels. Not sure what the point of my post is really, I guess just to vent

[BigSandyBalls2015]

He didn't do "ok" in his exams, he did very well. I understand your frustration if you feel he could have got As with more effort as I have a similar sounding DD but you really need to chill out about this.

[BlueGazebo]

I would be a bit miffed too. But in the scheme of things it's not a disaster. School requested a signature for a remark on DS's English Lit on the day of the deadline which seems a little last minute. He got a C so if it stays a C it will be fine but a B would be nice.

DS got similar (not quite so good) results as you. Bright, very lazy and far more interested in gaming. He was 5 marks off an A in Add Science and he did literally NO revision for it. He's not bothered and is happy with his results. A Levels are going to be a worry for sure.

[alltouchedout]

He got good results. I know it can feel like everyone's child got a string of A*s (especially here on mn!) but that just isn't the case. Ten higher grade passes is a very good outcome. Don't obsess about the C that might or might not have been a B. It's just not worth it.

[t4nut]

So you're cross at the school because of your mistake? They'd told the students the deadlines, and you'd made an assumption? Besides he's got a C and he's doing the A levels he wants - his GCSE grades are largely irrelevant now.

[Icequeen01]

I did say we were also cross with ourselves for not being more proactive but I also think the school could have told us a little earlier that they were not going ahead with the remark.

[Verbena37]

I would see privately if you can have it remarked. If not, then at he has a C pass and it hasn't affected his A level choices.

However, when I was predicted an A for history GCSE and got a C, when every piece of my coursework had been an A, my parents asked school teacher if I could have it remarked. Her son and one other person also had same grade and had been predicted As. She said there was a chance it would stay the same and to not have a remark. Later that year, I found out her son had his remarked and received a B. I was so cross!

What I'm saying is if he thinks he will regret it later in life, I'd do everything you can now to get a remark,

[IHeartKingThistle]

I think the remark system has changed for English - apparently they now only check for admin errors and don't read the answers again. Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!

[Icequeen01]

I think that's the case for some of the examining bodies but school said it wasn't the case for our board which was Cambridge. I didn't realise we could get it marked privately, that might be worth considering. I think we will have a chat with DS to see how he feels. I know he's disappointed but may want to let it go now and just be happy that his language paper went up a grade on the remark.

[Icequeen01]

Sorry, just re-read your post Verbena and may have got the wrong end of the stick. Will definitely look into it though. What an awful thing to happen to you. You must have been gutted when you found out.

[Verbena37]

I don't know if you can get it remarked privately but just thought it might be something you could look into. If you contact the exam board and ask, there might be a way.