GCSE Results Day 2017

Allthebestnamesareused
We werent saying grades were "meh" grades.

We were talking about a group of students and how they can be the "meh brigade" e.g. not at the top, not at the bottom, dont masisvely stand out and saying those students tend to be forgotten about because they're in middle coasting along whilst lots of attention goes at the 2 extremes.

It wasn't a comment on their grade!

Congratulations to all with kids who achieved their predictions or did better than predictions and to those that didn't meet impossible predictions and to all those with the "meh" grades (not my description tbut quoting above) but that have met the grades they need to take their next step whatever that may be.

Commiserations to those that didn't get what they needed to take their next step or what they'd have liked to and good luck with your research and decisions as to what to do now.

I have 3 - a real mixture - all boys. All different type of schools for them but the school that was rigt for them.

1st - not a high achiever and desperate to stay at local state comp , 2 Bs and 7 Cs at GCSE, CDE at A level (about expectation especially after he decided himself to repeat yr 12 because grades were terrible first attempt at yr 12) but with a 2.1 in his chosen degree at a not great uni BUT got on a great graduate entry programme in his chosen career (chosen during final year at uni - no idea until then) and now earning good money. He was the one I worried about most.

Middle is at Uni now, but went to a non-selective indie - 3 x A*, 6 As (all very surprising - higher than expected due to dyslexia), BBD at A level (lower than expected at A level) but got his insurance choice RG and is doing fine at uni after year 1. His desire was medicine but it wasn't ever really going to happen although we were encouraging but realistic (but never told him he couldn't do it - he realised on his own).

Youngest is expected 9/8s (A*s) next year (2018 gcse cohort) but seems to be in decline. Not sure why - maybe coasting, maybe will turn it around. He is at a selective highly ranked indie so there will be pressure on so trying to not be so intense at home (which is hard!!).

But having been through it I realise they kind of all end up where they are supposed to be eventually and that ultimately it is their choice. We can be there to support, give guidance and suggestions - but we can't sit the exams and make the choices.

Depending on who I am talking to I either say the grades (friends who will not see me as a billy boaster) or say they did well, as expected, better than we thought. Some want to measure their child against my brainy one so I tend to just say we're delighted (not playing that game).

I will celebrate my friend's son's 3 ^s and 2 Cs as much as another's straights As because for him that was bloody brilliant.

Just remember each child is different.

I know some very poor people with firsts and some very rick people who bombed at gcses. Life is what you make it and we can but support our kids and our friends and families and their kids, whatever their grade, whatever they do.

(Sorry - that is miles longer than intended)!

Hoping that with progress 8 people will realise that middle kids getting a C when they could get a high B is actually a massive issue.

absolutely, although DS's school is adept at hiding their actual indicator grades from us so I have no idea whether he actually underachieved according to them . He certainly isn't on their top 10% newsletter list of those who made most progress. In any case , it's historic. he pretty much underachieved at KS2 too. Or I 'm deluded. Not sure which!

For dd1, she is her total motivator and always has been. It sounds great from the outside, but she puts huge pressure on herself.

This. Also it can be quit lonely. She is very modest, keeps mid term results to herself. When she is pushed to tell her friends her exact score, she can't ever express disappointment that she didn't get an A* but an A as she will be laughed at/moaned at etc. I understand why, but that's her target just as theirs might be to get a B/C and they'd be disappointed with a C/D. it's all relative.

the system overlooks them, they're allowed to coast
Completely. To use a Mumsnet phrase I hate 'it boils my piss'.
People see them and think they're doing ok, they're not a C/D borderline and they'll get reasonable grades at the end.

I'm glad I've found some else who loves the middle and feels the same way as me about it. Sometimes people I've known prefer the middle because they think it's easier (and are usually those teachers who let their nice easy middle group bob along without being challenged).

I got some 9-7s in my group this year and I nearly cried when I saw their faces on results day.

Hoping that with progress 8 people will realise that middle kids getting a C when they could get a high B is actually a massive issue.

Saving for later

maisy it's nice to hear that but they are the group of children who do indeed receive next to no 'intervention' (for which at DS's school read attention) are in the largest classes often, get no mentions ever anywhere : some are happy with that and thrive and I am glad you love teaching that ability (I do too) but the system overlooks them, they're allowed to coast (my DS is definitely now on their underachieving hit list : bit late now!) , go on and do those A levels some people sneer at and perhaps do a bit 'meh' in those. I guess it all works out in the end though! And it's not like all those kids have 'something else' they are brilliant at, or an fulfilling hobby. It's often a boy thing , that generic drifting. Bless my DS, he can't even muster that much pride in his Spanish result!

Not sure it's desirable to design an education system to best suit the needs of the top 3%, NG.

Then you'll be against early entry. No point in entering a DC early for an exam they'd get a much better result in sat at the proper time.

I'm similar, MsHarry, I have only told the grandparents dd1's actual results. Everyone else has got "she's pleased and I'm really proud" type answers.
On fb, I've noticed similar. People who are giving the results out are, often excellent compared with predicted, but not top grades. My friends who have children who would expect to be getting mostly A, A* are quiet/putting statements of pride and no results. It could be because they're all ashamed of the one B, but I don't think so.

For dd1, she is her total motivator and always has been. It sounds great from the outside, but she puts huge pressure on herself.
I really and honestly didn't mind what results she had, but was dreading her being disappointed. She would see through any bland platitudes because she knows her information about what she'd like to do etc.

I suspect dd2 is as bright in a different way. She's more like me though and a bit inclined work only at what she likes. I suspect her results will be much more mixed bag, and I will be less nervous about her results as she's much more of take life as it comes.
Ds it's hard to tell, but if it's not a ball or computer, he's not interested!

Have no idea about the motivation bit come about but I have an inkling that seeing hs DSis ladk in motiviation and her subsequent struggles to get to vet school had something to do with it. Also think it is just how he his.

Thanks, Lonicera. So all these people saying that 8-9 GCSEs must be sat in one sitting for medical schools... might be mistaken..?

Not sure it's desirable to design an education system to best suit the needs of the top 3%, NG.

Those with clutches of Cs, maybe a smattering of Bs, the odd A : they get overlooked : the 'meh' brigade. I feel sad just writing that.
On paper that would have been my y11s this year, but they were anything but 'meh'. I love teaching the 'meh brigade' groups. They're not as stressy and obsessive as some of your top set types (not saying all top group students are like that) and don't tend to have the same level of excessive intervention thrown at them like the weak or badly behaved/lazy groups.

I love giving them a bit of TLC and making them feel special and valued.

MsHarry- We share the same child!!

wants to get things right,
Sums up my DD. She is also extremely untidy and infuriating at times! Nobody's perfect.

Some kids are very driven, so m e aren't. I suspect Ds naturally brighter than Dd. I predict Dd with perform better because she us already v competitiv and wants to get things right, whereas ds drifts about in whichever historical period he is currently interested in. I get Dd, but am baffled by ds. He does , however, remind me of a fair few students I have taught.

Lonicera As Professor says, I also have another DD who is not like DD1. It's just who they are. I had no idea really until a year 2 parent's evening when I asked if she was where she needed to be for her age and the teacher looked at me strangely and said, " Errr yeah she's top 5% material." We were both

MsHarry- ha ha I have done the same thing.
I have only told to two of my friends when they specifically asked for her grades otherwise I just say she did well.

"but he did well because he is motivated and lucky to have parents to support him"

DD is lucky to have a lot of support as well, but she still could do with a little bit more motivation. How do you magic that up?

Dd1 is very driven and had 11A* s - she worked hard through out the year and have always been like that since primary school years.
Dd2 is only 9 but a different kettle of fish.
She loves dancing and is good at Art but is definitely not like my eldest.
Dd1 would read books for pleasure Dd2 only as a bare requirement from school but is really creative in writing.
We both work full time and are very happy with supporting whatever they choose to do.. definitely not someone who will hothouse their children.

when other parents ask I say he did really well
I did this 4 times yesterday Peace and I feel bad for my DD, I am hiding the extent of her success because I want to save other parent's feelings.

OK I will come clean, I am one of those mumsnetters, my son is very able he did fantastically well with his early entry gcses, all A*s and As. I am v v proud and dare I say boastful. Perhaps because I dont tell anyone in real life, when other parents ask I say he did really well. However, he is bright, prob got most of his braincells from his dad, but he did well because he is motivated and lucky to have parents to support him.

There you go, shhot me down in flames, I feel better now. I hope that when he co e to make his med school app there will be lots of students in the same boat and the med schools will make allowances.

"Sheffield is only school that mentions sittings (6 in one sitting requirement). Is that list very out of date or incomplete?"

No, it is very current.

Sorry DD2 came along when she was 3.5.

What about the kids for whom that GCSE does count, lljk? The ones who want to go to a top uni or sixth form which counts A*s? What if they want to do it at A-level but can't because they did it in Y9, got a C and haven't studied it since?

I haven't. I am the least ambitious person person as is DH(neither been to Uni). I was a sahm. DD2 came along when DD1 was 2.5. There was no hot housing, we read to her, I taught her the alphabet song, to write her name, count to 20 etc before school. She's a September child, not sure if that makes a difference.