A level results day 2026

Also wondering how things are for you @Lemons1571 - fingers crossed. I feel for your son - he must feel anxious and upset. Do let us know.

@Lemons1571 did he manage to get his grades? I have been thinking about you.

sorry didn’t mean to quote above.

I agree, the system as it is is bonkers with offers being based on grades predicted by teachers, and then the stressful wait and last minute decisions being made on results day.

Ohh, @Lemons1571 I can't believe you and your son are still in limbo!! I hope you manage to speak to someone today. Are you able to go to the school?

@Lemons1571

hiws things today ? Any news ?

I can’t see how the school are going to make this upto your dc now 😡😡as so many places will be snapped up already

I’m so shocked by this, I’ve be heard of this happening before

good luck to you today
hope you ca. soemthing good sorted

In other countries they manage to allocate places after results. I know this happens in Ireland for example. It seems ridiculous the amount of stress the current system generates.

One of mine going to Edinburgh had ‘met’ online all of his flat mates (central living kitchen and eight bedrooms in a self catering hall).

Brilliantly they had even worked out who was bringing what - like a wedding gift list. No chance of eight toasters….😉 but an air fryer, a sandwich machine etc.

Absolutely agree. And, though it is a big generalisation, I think the view is that private schools tend to over predict grades and state schools can under predict.
Both my DDs opted out of predicted grades/ clearing by planning a local foundation year. Even if that hadn't been an option I'd have encouraged a gap year. DD2 will be applying this year with known grades so should get quick answers. DD1 knew in the January that she'd have a place at her preferred university and the summer felt much calmer. There was a lot of pressure from school to apply and defer but I could not see the point of that.
Hard to see how to improve the system though....

The whole system is broken. Predictions are often best day/best scenario. If they don’t err on generous side then they won’t get offers.
Then some parents and yp think because they are predicting that that’s likely outcome.
My DD’s predictions were based on yr12 mocks less than a year into 6th form.
Lots can happen in a year - get a car and be out driving around, discover alcohol, dating, working lots of hours in pt job.
When we were looking there didn’t seem to be much B/C level certainty not at top 20 type universities.
So everyone needs As predicted to get a chance of being able to apply. Yet for many courses and unis inc RG they drop to B/C for clearing.
Surely better to advertise around B grade in first place not have a dance of ‘John’ is really a strong B student, but we’ll predict A as he once got an A in an essay so he can apply. He has a bad question on day gets a C and it looks like gone horribly wrong. Uni take him with BBC anyway but he still feels a bit rubbish as predicted AAB.

@Lemons1571 I really hope you get the grades today. I actually can’t imagine how frustrating and exhausting it must be to have spent all day yesterday still in the unknown. Your situation really does seem very unusual, and the school/college unbelievably crap to not be contactable after lunch time on results day!

All the schools here will have had senior staff in all day, and admin staff work through the summer anyway, so it’s rare you’d get a day when there is absolutely no-one in. Senior staff will also all be in today, and I know a lot of my friends who are teachers, but not necessarily senior staff, were in for a while yesterday too. My sister who is an HoD and head of sixth form was in a good bit of Wednesday in preparation, and then was in yesterday morning from 7.30am and didn’t leave until about 4pm.

Hoping you got some sleep last night. I was shattered as hadn’t slept well the few night before and then had a busy day yesterday. I was in my bed by 9pm last night.

Reassurance to anxious parents - I have observed over the years (mine are now in their 30s) that as long as they like their course, the actual university is less important. Happened to me 50 years ago when I missed my place in Manchester and ended up scrambling into Newcastle. I loved it and would have stayed up in NE had it not been for a job abroad.

I noticed with my kids’ friends that those who didn’t like their university were those who had chosen the city over the actual course.

Your son would have to phone.

Universities want the students to advocate for themselves

Its funny isn't it. DD got a C in her best topic in her best subject bringing it down to a B overall. Luckily got her firm choice and she seems absolutely fine with it. I feel a bit disappointed for her as I know she had her heart set on all A/A* but in a year no one will care.

Congratulations and commiserations.

In the absence of extenuating circumstances I don't understand how schools get grade predictions so wrong. I have read some really sad posts on the WIWIKAU Facebook page from parents of young people who were predicted high grades and ended up with Es and Us.

My heart goes out to them. I hope these young people find another way forward.

My DD’s uni people found people via tik tok. They didn’t find out flat allocation until move in time.

Talking of apps, I used the family wall app for revision timetables/chore checklist etc at home and will still be using it for DS2 (dreaded GCSES). Would it be embarrassing to repurpose it to share recipes and help him with budget planning?

DS has deferred his place for a year, but it’s lovely to know that his next 4 years at least are mapped out, 5 if he decides to do the masters!

I shall be looking to you and @Fabfabfab for top Warwick tips when DS does finally get started! He’s already hoping to get Jack Martin halls - moving out over Easter doesn’t bother him (it will be a bit of a nuisance for us though!) but the thought of extra beer money appeals to him!

Just found this thread - congrats all!

My own child is still primary-aged, but my niece got her place at LSE and she is thrilled. We are happy to have her around London too - she can be a bit wild so good to keep a slight eye on her :)

I went to uni in London too and loved it. DH was in Warwick and really disliked it but obs things change a lot in twenty years!

@Muchtoomuchtodo, so happy to read your updates, what fabulous results for your DS (and his GF!) See you at the Warwick drop off!

Loving all the partying going on. Perhaps we should start sharing our best hangover cure recipes!

I've heard there is an app called Unibuddy which apparently Warwick and some of the universities suggest to new students. Not sure if DC has it yet (he's fast asleep after a long night of partying!) but will check when he gets up

Universities wouldn’t pass that kind of information on.
I think my daughter found people through other student forums??

I went to an open day at Sheffield University with my younger daughter recently and the girl that showed us round the accommodation there said that Sheffield had quite a unique approach to accommodation. Once the accommodation opens you put yourself in a flat (metaphorically!) and when you do that other students will be able to see your bio (and vice versa) so you can try and place yourself with like minded people. She said that for her flat most of them had put their social media details in their bio, so they had all been in touch before moving in! It worked so well that most of them were looking to share again for the 2nd year.

Love this, @gingercat02! And huge congratulations on his results and the Newcastle outcome! 👏👏 Sounds like he has celebrated in style!

DS stayed at his GF’s last night. They both had incredible results and were on a mission to celebrate.

Just heard from GF’s mum they they got home just after 4am! Considering they started here at 2pm that’s some decent celebration time (oh to be young again!).

I hope today brings some answered for those of you still waiting, it must be incredibly stressful but will all fall into place no doubt. Hang on in there xx

DS met people at the open day and they exchanged Instas and set up a group chat there. Or possibly all joined an existing one, I'm not sure.

Good question, @AuntyBulgaria, I would also like to know.