All the country seems to be celebrating GCSE results, I am not!

Mumsnet is not reflective of the country in general. It's very self selecting as to who posts grades, obviously.

In real life most children do not have a string of 8s/9s. Most have 4-6 grades. It's just you don't hear about the 'average' kids. Infact 4-6 is above average if you look at the averages. It's more 3-5 grades that are average across the country.

Have a look at the analytics of the GCSE breakdowns - there's a thread on it in Education. It will put some of these grades into a better perspective.

It's essential that you are your child's cheerleader with this. They're not your grades. They're your DD's grades and it's her future, her dreams. Not yours. You can be her cheerleader, her supporter and her guider. But you're not her. Don't put that level of pressure on her.

Round here her grades would get her into school sixth forms to do A levels, including the good schools. Some ask for certain grades in certain subjects but not all, and even then we are talking about a grade 5/6 at most apart from Maths and Sciences.

For example in several schools here including two high achieving private schools, the general entry requirement is 6 GCSEs at grade 4/C and above. Some subjects ask for a 5 in one English subject. Some recommend a 5 in Maths in there is a mathematical element such as Economics. Some ask for a 5 in the subject being studied but not all. Maths asks for a 6 or 7 depending on the school.

Just like MN children's grades aren't representative of the country as a whole, neither are their schools and sixth forms. Please look at the actual schools in your area instead, and sixth form colleges etc. and their actual requirements.

Has she spoken to a careers adviser?

She needs to do this - see what collegues or courses will take her and what course with spaces she is interested in.

university path as we know is literally over for her and her a levels are a big question mark.

Well A-level might not be best fit - but there are btecs and when she is slightly older access courses.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/gcse-results-2017-fail-help-11791709
www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18883541

These articles have suggestions:
Where can I go for more advice?

You can call the national Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000.

The government website Directgov might also help you make decisions.

If you need help with career choices, you can email or telephone an adviser at the National Careers Service.

My DS2 has just completed a level 3 BTEC in computing. It's the equivalent to 3 A levels. Computing is actually a really good subject choice for BTEC.

She can still do a comp science degree. However if she goes down the A level route she might struggle with Maths from a 4/5 . Perhaps look at level 3 btec in IT or a related field or even an apprenticeship. However you really need to find out enrolment details for your nearest college offering it asap as these courses are popular.

Have you tried a sixth form college (as in stand alone, not attached to a school). They'll be able to advise what courses she'd get on/ have space and she can then look into what she'd like to do.

Has she spoken to a careers adviser?

Classic MN this. Many many schools take students for A levels with 4s and 5s . All grades 1 - 9 are passes, technically. A 4 is not a 'near pass'. In old money , it is a mid to low C. OK, so not what you, school or DD expected. But something to build on. I am confused as to why you think the school would contact you following under par results! This would be very unusual.

My DS's GCSE results last year were very meh, too. He doesn't work as hard as your DD and has variable focus. I do know how you feel. Howvere, as a teacher, I have taught students with excellent GCSE results who have bombed at A Level and students who have done really well at A level with humble GCSEs. (My DS is due to get a C at best in Spanish A Level with full marks at GCSE, for example). A lot of it is attitude.

University is certainly not over for your daughter! What a strange thing to think. Is she at a selective school? They tend to create rather skewed expectations and mindsets in children and parents.

Do consider a level 3 BTEC, maybe combined with an A level. My friend's DS got DDD in his BTEC and is off to study engineering at uni. He had similar GCSEs. If your DD has got 4 or 5 in English and maths she doesn't need to resit but can possibly resit just to try to increase her grades. Colleges are set up for resits, many sixth forms are not.

I really feel for you OP. The vibe I picked up on secondary school threads on here was 8 and 9’s are the norm. That is far from the truth. It’s only natural will feel disappointed with her grades if they are so different from the predictions.
However, I would be hesistant to ask her to re-sit both maths and English in November as she will have the pressure of starting college/sixth form and she has a 4 or 5 which colleges and six forms accept as a pass.

Has she looked into doing something at college? What subjects interest her? Does she have an idea about what jobs she wants.

I was an average student (got Cs at GCSE) and I am from a really clever family. It took me many years to realise I'm not thick and my grades weren't a failure. Please don't make her feel shit, maybe she doesn't go down the traditional academia route. Would that be such a disaster?

So she passed them all? Its not the end of the world, tell her it will all be fine and get sorted out and keep contacting all the sixth forms and colleges near you, one will have her. I bet shes a lot more devastated than you especially if this is the way you reacted.
My DD1 did her GCSE's 7 years ago so I dont how its changed but she got all C's with a few B's, managed to get into a local sixth form to do A levels where she got AABB and then a place at uni, GCSEs did nothing for her except damaging her mental health.

What were her dreams? Course/job?

Your dreams are shattered ! What about hers ?
Ok so she did her best ( as did you trying to help with revision and stuff ) so she needs to be congratulated in passing / perhaps near passing for the 4's amongst those 5's and 6's .
First what does she think of and how does she feel about her grades . We know how you feel and by the way i do sympathise .
What did she want to do at a level ? Was going to uni even part of her plan or say eg did she herself in a job that requires a skill not a degree ( that's most jobs by the way ) .
What you do next depends on her answers . Get a grip and help her with the next steps ( cry and have 🍸🍸🍸in private )

If it helps, my dh had average gcse results. He went on to get good A levels, degree and good job. They are important, but they are not everything.
The most important thing is how your dd is doing. Her state of mind wont be helped by you getting upset.
Honestly, nothing that happens now wrt grades is going to ruin her life or be unfixable.

How's DD doing? What does she think is the best course of action now?

Hi. Sorry that you are so upset, and sorry for your daughter too. I hope that she doesn't feel guilty.
What is it that your daughter wants to study, what are her long term goals?

I note this OP gets no support or sympathy, yet all the recent posters saying their child only got 8s instead of predicted 9s, or only got Bs for their A levels got pages of supportive comments commiserating with them. Interesting.
OP is there anyone at school who would be willing to give you and dd a debrief meeting where you all try and work out what might have gone wrong? What does your dd think? Did she find the exams much harder than she expected?

I just don't understand really. She passed her exams?

There are many colleges who would take your DD with 5 passes. Vocational qualifications, the are so many opportunities which will probably suit your DD better.

Hope she is OK. My DS got 9 X 5s. I am beyond delighted with him. He is going to 6th form, doing a BTEC with one A LEVEL. he has a good future being who he is.

With 4s and 5s she’ll get into sixth form college if there’s one near you, but not necessarily on an A-level course. However vocational courses like BTEC can be combined with A level and are just as good for university entrance - especially courses more aimed at a student with gcse grades like that. All is not lost, but be realistic.

What was her 6 in?

Ok, what was the last tracking point/assessments sent home?
Easter, February? What did they say she was on track for?

What is your DD interested in? Is there a college near you that do btecs, or other vocational courses that she would enjoy and could do well on? Is university the be all and end all?

Lots of children have had short hard shocks last Thursday- of course their parents aren't the ones crowing about results in social media.
Don't worry about anyone else, just help your DD now. I know it's been a huge disappointment, but she needs to know you're there for her, and can help her shift gear and move on successfully from this. She will take her attitude from you- teach her that setbacks can be overcome, that one set of assessments aren't the only test she'll meet in life, and that success comes in many different forms- she just needs to find what it is she will be successful at.

Do keep contacting school about remarks. However, they're unlikely to accept her for resits if she isn't a member of their sixth form (my school doesn't, for example).

The sooner you investigate realistic alternatives, the sooner she'll get something lined up for September, and the sooner she'll move on from this, once she's confident and secure about her new direction. Good luck!