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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

GCSE results - anxious about what to do next.

56 replies

Moschops1 · 21/08/2025 18:22

Feeling a bit lost now as not sure what to do. I can't be the only one in this position though I feel I am, as everyone I know has a place for their DC.

DD got her GCSE results today with a 9 and 8 in her top two A Level choices. But the others were a mixed bag, with her missing out on some scores by just 1 or 2 marks.

Long story short, for the schools she applied to (and had conditional acceptances) because she didn't get the required grade average, she has missed out on a place. We are still awaiting one but if that one comes back with a no, I don't know what to do.

It is just so disheartening because she did SO well in the subjects that she is brilliant in, but it means nothing now and we almost can't celebrate her achievement in that. Schools spout off about 'looking at the individual child and focussing on their talents'. It's not true - obviously if you don't achieve across the board, it means nothing.

I am now trying to look for alternatives but can anyone offer advice about how I go about this, because everywhere I look, it seems to focus on enrolment for NEXT year. I live in London if anyone is in the same boat and can offer any advice.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moschops1 · 21/08/2025 18:44

geoger · 21/08/2025 18:39

Where in London are you based?
what grades did your dd get and what would she like to study? What grades did she get for English language and maths?
I am sure that sixth form colleges will take her. She may have to be flexible and follow a blended route of A levels and Btecs
The more info you provide the more help we can give

Edited

I'm in Canary Wharf.

She got 7 for English Language, 6 for English Lit (her teacher told her she missed out on a 7 by one point!) and 5 for Maths. 6 in Combined Sciences.
She is not academic at all - she is extremely creative, hence she got a 9 for Art and she got an 8 for PRE, which she also found incredibly interesting. She would love to follow the creative route. The colleges she spoke to didn't offer her the combined option of BTec and A-level

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 21/08/2025 18:41

What’s her career aim?

Original poster
Moschops1 · 21/08/2025 18:40

Snorlaxo · 21/08/2025 18:30

I’m assuming that you’re in the state sector but I’d find every commutable Sixth Form and college, check if they offer the subject combination that you’re after then contact them directly.

Has the Sixth Form that you’re waiting a reply from said when they’ll let you know if she has a place or not?

If it’s possible to compromise on the third subject then that might help secure a place. For example if the third subject is an essay subject then they might say yes if she chooses something different to what she originally planned. Remember that level 3 BTECs count the same as A-levels for uni entry so don’t be put off by a school asking her to consider level 3 BTEC instead of the A-level.

We tried both State and Private. The one remaining is private and she spoke to them directly in her 'post results chat'.
The problem she has is that she got a 5 in Maths and that seems to affect a LOT of choices. This particular school makes them do 4 A levels - if it was only 3 choices, she would be fine, but the woman was struggling to find a 4th choice, based on her results.
Yes, she said she would get back to her, but we are not sure when.

I am now looking into BTEC courses, thanks.

OP posts:
geoger · 21/08/2025 18:39

Where in London are you based?
what grades did your dd get and what would she like to study? What grades did she get for English language and maths?
I am sure that sixth form colleges will take her. She may have to be flexible and follow a blended route of A levels and Btecs
The more info you provide the more help we can give

titchy · 21/08/2025 18:33
  1. Ask for a check of marking for the near misses - let your target schools know so they can hopefully leave her placement. 2. Where about are you? There will be a college that will take her. You need to get phoning urgently.
Snorlaxo · 21/08/2025 18:30

I’m assuming that you’re in the state sector but I’d find every commutable Sixth Form and college, check if they offer the subject combination that you’re after then contact them directly.

Has the Sixth Form that you’re waiting a reply from said when they’ll let you know if she has a place or not?

If it’s possible to compromise on the third subject then that might help secure a place. For example if the third subject is an essay subject then they might say yes if she chooses something different to what she originally planned. Remember that level 3 BTECs count the same as A-levels for uni entry so don’t be put off by a school asking her to consider level 3 BTEC instead of the A-level.