A level results day 2026

Thank you, he has his insurance offer at Notts so he does have a place to go, he just wanted to be at Bath.

Lol we had a lovely lunch then it was so hot we all came back for a nap! DS gone back out now to meet up with his mates. He's then going on a city break to Krakow with his mates tomorrow!

Been a roller coaster ride here. DS missed his place by one grade, which ended up being just 2 marks below the grade biundary. Uni of choice absolutely would not entertain consideration even when we explained we were asking for a remark.

Tears. Devastation. DH being an absolute melt [may have the temporary ick] and my leveraging every contact and notes from each uni visit we made. He is now going to a more local uni (happier mummy) and doing a course he didn’t know exists until today but actually contains everything he loves about his subject. Admissions tutor was amazingly supportive, kind and reiterated how great his results were, especially given where he started with less than stellar GCSEs. She sat and talked to him about research opportunities overseas placements, topics he could research for his year 4 project, ND support, industry summer placements and he is smitten.

Ending the day on a high and full of excitement. And he’s just found out that his BFF from school since y4 is going to be on the same course. Lab partners!!

Aww am glad to hear that. Things have a way of working out. A few months ago DD was absolutely devastated after a cambridge rejection. Today an absolute high with an acceptance to a uni we hadn't even considered at the start.

Can't say as it's not my subject and don't want to get your hopes up but I'd definitely consider it. The fact she'll be coming with extra life experience always helps. We can usually see that there's a level of commitment that's sometimes missing with the straight from school and college lot who often need the first 12 months to settle down 😀 I've been on clearing today and have made a few offers that are outside what people on here would see as the norm because I liked them and thought they had potential. If she's applying for an art based course then they'll also be looking at skill, creativity and her portfolio as well as grades.

I truly think things work out for the best in the end, so long as your Dc is open to the possibilities. It’s like when the chain collapses and you lose the house you wanted but you end up in a better, more perfect one a few weeks later.

Wow, this thread has moved at a super-sonic speed! Still trying to catch up on the posts, but so lovely to see good news from many. Hugs to those who have had a challenging day, hope better news are around the corner for your DC.

It’s been a happy day here. DS got two A stars and an A (just two marks off the A star boundary so might go for a remark) and got into his firm Warwick for PPE. Such a huge relief as he’d convinced himself he’d done badly and missed both his offers.

How did she go on? My DS sat the Edexcel
maths paper, couldn’t do entire sections of it, and got an A!! Also A in Chemistry and B in physics and off to do Chem Eng at his first choice.

So there must have been some significant adjustments to the Edexcel maths grade boundaries.

How’s everyone feeling?

I feel like I’ve been through the wringer! Waiting for DD2 (only 9) to go to bed so I can have a good old cry!

DD is out and unlikely to make an appearance before the dawn - I’m washing her bedding and cleaning her room because she tends to be the one that brings 3 or 4 stray friends back to crash on her floor - and it’s bloody filthy; let’s hope she can learn some cleaning skills in the next 4 weeks…

My son and all his friends loved their time at Warwick. Tbh I haven't heard of people who didn't like their uni once they get going.

The grade boundary didn't drop a huge amount for Edexcel maths. For an A star it only dropped by 5 marks

Ds dropped a grade (Edexel maths) but UEA accepted him anyway so he's delighted. A good day, his halls room is allocated, we've agreed his moving-in day and I have almost everything he needs.

I'll sleep better tonight 😁

Same. Have no idea how DD got an A for Edexcel maths. Her teacher said maybe marking was heavily methodology focussed? Not sure how that would even work! Got her into her first choice, Bristol, so I’m not going to question!

I get this, but there are a lot of jobs which I don't think AI will take. I don't think people will want AI doctors or barristers, for two. Nor teachers. Those of course have a lot of problems now, but I don't think AI is one of them.

I also don't think most people want AI journalists, novelists, non fiction authors etc.
And AI will also create new jobs, a lot of evidence suggests it works best with a human in control rather than operating independently.

It's also fair to note that a lot of AI predictions seem exaggerated. Sam Altman's, for one. Gary Marcus' Substack is very interesting on this.

https://garymarcus.substack.com/

Thank you so much @Philandbill @SparklyCrow @poppybuttons @pinkdelight @MiniMidiMaxi great to hear :). Will check out the FB page. The history building is amazing, sport facilities look great and he loves the idea of the Venice term. The phone call from the head of History today was also a nice touch. Just having to get over not being based in a beautiful historical town but that really isn't the end of the world!

Or take the jam out of our doughnut

Unfortunately this was the only Uni offer he had.
He does have an offer to do an art foundation year which is what he will do.

I know what you mean. I felt the same when I saw the photos
For the first time I questioned whether it was even worthwhile going to university .
So many intelligent bright graduates are unemployed or are doing low paid jobs at present and I can’t see it getting much better with increasing use of AI in organisations
When I was at university many moons ago , I knew that I was guaranteed a great job with career progression . These days you are lucky to get a poorly paid entry level job

@Fabfabfabmy DD seriously considered Warwick for History despite a) probably not meeting their grade requirements and b) wanting a campus based uni purely because of the proximity to Warwick castle and the opportunity to work there!

We spoke to a deputy headteacher and an Art teacher at the school and getting the whole cohort re-marked was never suggested as an option even though it seemed that everyone was marked down.
He does have an offer to do a foundation year so he will do that.

dd got an A* and 2As, and has been accepted for Physics at Lancaster. She thought what she got was fair.

Re the Edexcel maths paper that made headlines, I found a table to compare the year by year boundaries for A Level Maths.

So reasonably consistent with the previous two years. We know why they were dragged down in 2020 - 2022, so can't really compare.

Grade boundaries for further maths on the other hand, were much higher this year with boundaries for each combination no less than 262, and the highest being 275 for an A*. dd got 266, but she's happy with her A.

He hasn't actually been to Warwick castle yet but I'm sure that will be a highlight! Exeter (think that's where your DC is going?) is such a lovely university, so green and modern. Hope your DC has a great time :)

Can you raise it with them? I think DD2"'s school's GCSE moderator was harsh as the school had a really good record for getting marking correct before that. I felt the raise to an 8 but not back to a 9 was a bit political too. If he does art foundation could he apply again for the degree place he has just missed? Art foundation gives UCAS points too as I'm sure you know. DD1 also did art foundation and it pushed her out of her comfort zone and developed her practice. She's gone on to do a fashion and garment technology degree and the experience of being challenged on art foundation has helped with that.

One of my DC is there and having an amazing time. Has friends in off-campus who have also had a blast so far. One is living with them next year. Other friends in off-campus are either in housing groups for second year with society/course friends or with current housemates (I just asked).

I spent quite a long time asking them if there was any way for the exam to be marked again and I was told no because the moderator marking the whole class was effectively a re-mark.
Perhaps the rules are different for GCSE.

If anyone who knows the rules can confirm that the teachers at the school were definitely wrong I will try again.