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Original poster

What to do if DD doesn't get the grades she needs?

33 replies

flexiblebenefit · 23/08/2022 08:04

DD2 is getting her GCSE results on Thursday. For context she had a terrible lockdown- went into it right as we were trying to tackle her significant mental health problems (anorexia, self harm, depression). We eventually also got an ADHD diagnosis but it took a long time to stabilise the medication. Basically year 1 of GCSEs with online learning in the middle of this chaos were a disaster.

I'm incredibly proud oh her. She's now a healthy weight, and the adhd meds really assisted her in school which in turn helped her self esteem and improved the depression. She's a different person. However.... there was a mountain to climb with her GCSEs and I don't think she will have got there.

She sat IGCSE History so got the results early last Thurs. She hated history and her teacher was very dry and just provided vast chunks of text to learn which she struggled hugely with. She basically had to start the course from scratch about a month before the gcse once I realised how bad her history knowledge was. However she worked very hard (ADHD focus!) but only for about 6 days in total. She got a 5.

Her school want a min 6 grade 6 grades for 6th form. She is dreadful at maths (really a 5 would be the best we can hope for) and not great at Chem and biology so it's very touch and go if she'll manage this.

She has another offer for a different school of 8 grade 5 and above with 6s in the A level subjects. Again, very touch and go.

I while ago I suggested looking at other options (Betec/ apprenticeship) but she got very anxious. She's a lot better but really wants the security of her current school. She'll do ok at A level- she's good enough at the subjects she wants to take so that doesn't concern me once she's in.

My question is- if she doesn't get the grades for either school what's the process? Do we just phone round other schools and hope for the best?

Would resist be looked on poorly by HE/ employers in the future?

I'm absolutely terrified for her. I'm so worried this will cause a relapse/ cause her to spiral. I know we need a plan but have no idea what that plan should be and DD won't discuss it without getting anxious.

OP posts:
Original poster
flexiblebenefit · 23/08/2022 08:34

Pressed sent too soon! I think her A level subjects will be fine. So does the school. However they are very oversubscribed and I I know via a friend that SLT are anxious they will have too many children getting the grades this year so not a lot of wiggle room

OP posts:
TrufflesForBreakfast · 23/08/2022 08:33

Sorry I've reread your op and realised that my contribution isn't very helpful. It might be worth calling around other schools now so you can get an idea of their entry standards, as well as how many spaces they have. Would you be able to afford a small private sixth form with low entry criteria? it may make the day itself slightly less stressful if you have a plan B in mind. She doesn't necessarily have to know that right now.

Original poster
flexiblebenefit · 23/08/2022 08:31

hedgehogger1 · 23/08/2022 08:23

Does she definitely have the potential to do better? My school has similar entry requirements and the kids that struggle to get there often really struggle with a level as it's such a big step up in terms of content, but also workload and independent learning. Obviously it depends on the subject and the student, but I'd check out alternatives too. Does she know what she wants to do?

Her projected grades for her A level subjects are 6-9. The school honestly felt they couldn't say as she was doing well at the end but had no real history to draw on.
She got an 8 in her mock for one and a 7 for the other and this was before lots of revision. The 3rd will be business studies which the school recommended.

OP posts:
TrufflesForBreakfast · 23/08/2022 08:29

Those are very high admissions requirements. Might she be better off in a school where there is less pressure?

TeenDivided · 23/08/2022 08:25

I'd do some research online today.

Look online at entry requirements for other schools, and also see if there are any colleges within 1 hour that do A levels as they have more flexible requirements.

Then on the day you have a better idea as to who to contact first. (I'd start with the one with the lowest entry requirements for what she wants and work up, a bird in the hand and all that.)

With her history you may find some places may be more flexible as to grades.

hedgehogger1 · 23/08/2022 08:23

Does she definitely have the potential to do better? My school has similar entry requirements and the kids that struggle to get there often really struggle with a level as it's such a big step up in terms of content, but also workload and independent learning. Obviously it depends on the subject and the student, but I'd check out alternatives too. Does she know what she wants to do?

Original poster
flexiblebenefit · 23/08/2022 08:16

Thank. Helpful. Both schools are very oversubscribed which isn't ideal....

OP posts:
BareTrees2021 · 23/08/2022 08:13

There is the right of appeal if she does not get the necessary grades. Is a formal process with an independent panel, similar to the one for children who did not get a place in Y7.
The school may be unaware and will need to act quickly so if you think this may be an option, do your research before the results come out.
It is para 3.17 of the appeals code that directly refers to such appeal assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/275897/school_admission_appeals_code_1_february_2012.pdf