Is there a hand holding thread for Y11 parents and GCSE results yet?

Likewise a B in English Lit even if you can't manage one in Lang.

Feeling really nervous after her clever, very expensively educated best friend only got just so AS results.

Hoping they aren't being universally mean.

DD1 is away with my sister at the moment, so I don't think it has registered yet how cose they are - and we are away when the results come out, so we have the grand parents on results collecting duty.

Hopefully should be OK, but tiny weeny bit worried about need to get C in Maths - her definite blind spot. (offers up hypocritical prayer to anyone listening - please, oh please - just a C in maths)

Not a y11 mum (mine are much younger) but a big sister, little sis has just been on facebook telling me how she's worried she won't get the grades she needs for the 6th form she wants, she has back up plans with 2 other sixth forms with lower entry requirements but it would mean doing different subjects, she is already really stressed so will probably be a mess by results day bless her.

Good luck to everyone

Feeling very nervous! DS will be away so I have to go into school to collect his results, already feeling nauseous at the thought, heaven knows what I will be like by next Thursday! He is staying at his current school, which is excellent, and only asks for the minimum entry level so no worries there. However, his predictions are A*/A and he will disappointed if he drops in more than one or two subjects. All these links to articles about grade boundaries increasing are not helping!

Please be careful if your child is thinking of starting a BTEC course in September. The trade related ones such as engineering, social care, beauty, forensic science etc., are totally amazing. However, if your child is thinking of taking a Level 3 extended diploma in science or banking then I strongly advise that they also try to take an A level or two as well. It is worth checking now, before results are issued, if your BTEC course provider makes allowances in their timetables for this. Some colleges do, but not all of them.

If your child has even a vague idea of what degree they are aspiring too, then I would also advise that you double-check now if they will be accepting BTEC in their entry requirements. Sounds barking I know, but my DS1 has had to come off his BTEC science at the end of year one and switch to an Access course for exactly this reason. It seems that every year the number of Unis accepting these BTECs is reducing. They are also quite strict as to which BTEC pathways they are accepting for some courses. This is our personal experience of the BTEC science course, although I am aware of exactly the same problem with the Business course.

Might be something that some MNers will find useful. Please feel free to PM if you want to ask me anything.

Just to re-iterate, I think BTECs are amazing, employers love them, but I don't think colleges are 100% transparent in the way they are sold to prospective students who may or may not be looking to apply to university.

DS1 wants to change schools for sixth form. He has to get 22 points from his top 8 GCSEs to include maths and English.(4 points for A*, 3 points for A etc.) It's possible, even probable that he'll get it, but there's a little bit of doubt. If he doesn't get the 22 points he'll be able to stay at his school but they don't offer all the subjects he wants. Hand holding.

Hearing about some friends' very clever DC with her 3 A* at A level and confirmed place at Cambridge has spooked me. My DS is good at his maths and computing but nowhere near this DC. Aaargh. I hate feeling envious...

Waiting here too. Ds1 is OK for sixth form anyway, they take everyone, it is just confirming his a levels.

How did she find it, needsmoresleep? Just wondering if something similar might be lurking on DD's school's system ........

DD is going off on the Challenge on Saturday, back Wednesday, so I hope that will take her mind of the results. I will be home alone worrying to my heart's content!

Dd has just discovered her Add Maths result was on the school system. No idea why it was early but means one down nine to go.

We currently have a main plan and at least five back-up plans. It changes daily, I am happy for her to make her own choices.

Book marking this thread, but I wish all of you who are waiting the best of luck. This is my second lot of GCSE results and I would like to say something, and that is so much emphasis is put on A stars, As and Bs, when to some children getting a C or D is an amazing achievement.

Fingers crossed for everyone!!

My DS has to change schools, we're in a selective area and the local comps don't do academic sixth form.
He doesn't want to change schools but know there really isn't a choice.
I hope he gets the grades he deserves, he will be soooo stressed by next Thursday.

Stressing, just stressing!

we don't have a plan B just A levels where DD is. ok until I read stories about grades being changed etc then start to get a bit hmmm about it and concerned that she might not get what was expected or needed. goodness knows how I will be when it is a level results time.

Worried too! But DS is signed up for a BTEC and has a confirmed place- so slightly less worrying. He is still hoping to do an additional A level though (needs BB+ in science) and of course still need those Cs to continue in the human race!