GCSEs 2018 (15) The Reckoning

You’re right currently only a handful of uni s will look at gcse results. And those that do (Oxford/some med schools) look at so many other things alongside so they may not even be crucial then. Whether this will change I don’t know. Blue belle your post reminded me how we probably fretted over things like how much our babies slept or what they ate - if only we knew what was coming next !!

I know the point your making but you still have to get your GCSE's to progress to the next level without them you wouldn't of even made your pile .......

Also I think Birmingham take GCSE's into account, its done on a points basis and you have to get so many in order for them to make you an offer

Also exams results can have a real impact on someone's self-esteem, if you've done unexpectedly well, it can give you the confidence to aim higher likewise those who are disappointed can then doubt their ability. I think they mean the least to those that get what they are predicted as it merely confirms your ability.

Isn't life just one series of challenges and hurdles to overcome to get to the next stage, each one is important in its own right because you have to successfully overcome each hurdle to progress to the next?

Plus as very few schools do AS levels now I'm sure some uni's will take GCSE's into consideration.

I'm going to combine 2 topics here. My students come to college whilst holding down highly paid professional roles. However, if you saw them coming through the doors, you would hesitate to link them to their chosen career, because of their interpretation of smart casual! It has absolutely no impact on their exam results or work ethic, if anything it has the opposite impact, because they feel they can be themselves for a few days.

hmc Your DD won't be able to identify my DD in the swarm of Jack Wills, Hollister etc!

Back to results. I have a taught a ridiculous number of global prize winners (top in the world out of 4000 entrants etc). They are bright, but they haven't always had straight A*s or a first from Oxbridge. In fact, all 3 of my most recent prize winners didn't have a degree, they had done it through persistence and personality to get their jobs against fierce competition.

The GCSE exam results open doors to the next stage. The DC themselves will barely discuss their results amongst themselves. They may cautiously compare grades with someone they thing will get similar grades to themselves, they will kick themselves about missing a grade they hoped for, possibly switch to a subject they hadn't considered, then continue discussing Kpop, rugby, gaming etc. Within a few days of starting 6th form their GCSE results will be largely forgotten, because they are just there to ensure they know the basics and are ready to move on. Their teachers will frown over a few unexpected results, discover a dark horse who exceeded all expectations and then forget about our lot as they throw themselves into teaching the next batch using the lessons learnt. In 15 days time a grade boundary for 99% of parents and their DC will be utterly irrelevant, because they only matter if you've missed out on that crucial college place. In fact, the majority of people won't gave cared in the first place, because they only want to see the magic 5 subjects at grade 4 or 5 and above. Anything else is the cherry on top of the cake!

I think it’s a mix. Yes A levels will be harder and also perhaps more crucial for most in terms of getting to the next stage in that most uni courses will be grade dependant and most will be applying for courses at the top end of grade predictions (whereas I think only a few of us have real doubts about making the grade for progression at gcse). But on the other hand they will never have to do this range if subjects and this quantity of exams again. They will be doing subjects they have chosen and are supposedly good at, they will be another year or two older and more practised in revision, note taking and what is required to pass. With mine they probably learnt ‘how to learn’ during the gcse process. So for them gcse was definitely more stressful than what came next. I guess it’s different for different dc though

Neither of the colleges DS has an offer from have dress codes - he plans to live in trackies and hoodies.

mmzz I suspect you are right - by 1st September it will be old news and the build up to the next stage will begin in earnest.

DD had a balayage a couple of months ago - blonde and its looking really lovely now...at first I couldnt see the difference and was slightly [hmmm] given it cost over £100 but it looks great now the toner has washed out and the sun has also helped.

DD is opting for minimal communication whilst she is away - Monday - All OK....Wednesday - Its Good - I guess its better than its awful and I cant wait to come home!

I totally agree about change to workplace clothes (I wear jeans most of the time). I am really glad that DD has a uniform though even if it looks like a suit, she looks incredibly smart in it...When I have picked DD up from school and watch the sixth formers coming out they create such a positive professional image (plus the fact its going to save me ££££'s over the next two years).

Hmc 😂 really impressed by her inventiveness...

DD has no dress restrictions at her sixth form college (they get very good A level results so it doesn't seem to have a negative impact on worth ethic). She is currently investing disproportionate time on her wardrobe for next term - she has been sewing an large octopus transfer on a black denim skirt , hand embroidering a constellations of planets and stars on her jeans and wants me to book her in for balayage purple highlights. She's completely different to me (is it clean? - okay I'll put it on)

Meh - I suppose its harmless

Yes Oratory - ours used to allow jacket/chinos combos but students took the piss and started wearing coloured jeans rather than chinos and canvas shoes/trainers so now it is strictly suits, shirts and tie and polishable shoes!

Though I do wonder if it makes some difference. DD2 had smart business dress and always looked very smart and professional and I wonder if that did make then feel more like they were in a place of work and got down to stuff. I remember moving in to sixth form in home clothes which felt very casual and hence lazed around and didn't do much !!

It seems that some sixth forms are moving to smart business dress ie suits just at the time most workplaces are becoming more casual :)

Brainmelt your boy will look great in 6th Form.

JufusMum I am impressed with your DD's attitude to prep work! Hope the v.v.posh restaurant work is a success.

HesMyLobster I will be passing this on to DD - Apparently one of the teachers hinted that if a subject required grade was slightly missed, and it came down to head of department deciding whether to still accept for that subject or not, they would look more favourably at dc if homework was completed as it shows the desired attitude for 6th form.

DS was dead against wearing a suit. He hasn’t actually worn the school blazer for over a year so it would be a lost cause. Preferred sixth form doesn’t have any rules apart from not wearing a hoodie.
Brainmelt love the chino and jacket combo - he has good taste!

My students are post grad though. They all know there is nothing we can/will do if they haven't done it!

Anything goes for dress code at south coast colleges. I would have hated to wear a suit at 16-18. How many of us wear a suit to work each day? I don't think I have any suit jackets left in my wardrobe.

Brainmelt a very Chic look!

I'm also glad that DD has a uniform albeit looks like a suit because its skirt, jacket and shirts (although they do tend to wear their school hoodies into/out of school)....although they do not have a short sleeve shirt - so with this heat its not going to be easy.

I'm just counting the days until DD can learn to drive and take herself into school living in a rural village with very little public transport.

Brainmelt love that look!

Drink of water I'm with you on the all -consuming wait for A level results.

DD completed most of the holiday prep in the first week - I suggested it would be a good idea to get it done early and she actually listened!
I think she still has some reading to do for psychology and some vocab to go over for French, but Chemistry is definitely all done.

She had some for each subject, given during the taster lessons on induction day.

Apparently one of the teachers hinted that if a subject required grade was slightly missed, and it came down to head of department deciding whether to still accept for that subject or not, they would look more favourably at dc if homework was completed as it shows the desired attitude for 6th form.

mmzz ha ha not brogues yet but they may come later when his present shoes don't fit anymore. Like you, I never had to think about men's fashion in detail before! Your DS smart casual choices sound v good.

Oh good - I hope he gets that 7+ for physics. On the basis of what you've posted on here it seems like a move would be really good for him