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Original poster

A Level results- anyone preparing for very bad news?

19 replies

BertrandRussell · 01/08/2019 20:33

We are- ds’s mental health took a very badly timed plummet over exam time. He’s got things lined up to do and wasn’t planning on university anyway, but even so I think it’s going to be a difficult day.
Anyone else?

OP posts:

Clutterfreeintraining · 01/08/2019 20:38

Kind of. AS results due for ds and he needs Es to be allowed back for year 13. He's not confident and has no idea what he wants to do but definitely doesn't want to go to uni. For now, he's just killing time.

Clutterfreeintraining · 01/08/2019 20:39

Good luck to your ds and I hope his mental health has improved.

Frith2013 · 01/08/2019 20:43

Preparing for harsh GCSEs. Son not in mainstream from year 4 onwards. Missed the last 6 months of year 11 due to anxiety. ASD and learning difficulties.

I don’t think results day is going to be a laugh a minute!

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TeenTimesTwo · 01/08/2019 20:53

Clutter Have you/your DS considered dropping the A levels and switching to some kind of BTEC instead? They can get funding for 3 years at 6th form so he could 'restart'. It might be more useful than say DDE at A level?

Original poster

BertrandRussell · 01/08/2019 21:05

Clutter- thank you, he’s actually working now and a million times better- fingers crossed! I was wondering whether it be worth your ds thinking about doing something non-a level? If his subjects aren’t engaging him he’s going to find it hard to do well and there are some really Intersting BTec and diploma courses.

OP posts:

Clutterfreeintraining · 01/08/2019 21:41

Glad your ds is doing well now.

Ds has considered dropping one of his subjects and switching for a one year course in another subject (in school) but I think he's happy to carry on with his original subjects again now.

Tbh and I hope this doesn't sound like shit parenting on my part but I'd like him to complete year 13 even if he fails next year's exams because it will have bought him another year to hopefully have worked out a plan post yr13. He hasn't turned 17 yet so the logistics of going to college/apprenticeship/job will be very difficult until he can drive himself.

He's had some very trying times (major understatement!) over the last three years so the actual results aren't much of a priority for me but I know he'll be disappointed if they're bad.

Original poster

BertrandRussell · 02/08/2019 08:19

“I'd like him to complete year 13 even if he fails next year's exams because it will have bought him another year to hopefully have worked out a plan post yr13.“

Yes- that makes sense. Has he any ideas at all?

OP posts:

TeenTimesTwo · 02/08/2019 09:34

I'd like him to complete year 13 even if he fails next year's exams because it will have bought him another year to hopefully have worked out a plan post yr13.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. He gets 3 years funding for 6th form. If he blows 2 of them on failing A levels, then he only has 1 year left.
Whereas if he really is not succeeding with A levels he could switch to a Extended BTEC Diploma which is a '3 A level Equivalent' over 2 years and come out with something useful.
Surely he'd be better off 'killing time' doing something useful than failing something?

In some ways the worst of all worlds would be to get 3Es at A level as I think there is something in funding that stops funding at A level once you have some grades there (or something. not sure on this ).

However as you say he's had some 'trying times', maybe the security of school is best and overrides academic issues.

Clutter Are you saying there isn't a way to get to college from where you live? What do less academic kids do?

Connor2297 · 02/08/2019 09:45

As a recent A-Level lecturer I can assure you that they are tough. I have seen the brightest of students crumble under the pressure and it hurt me that 2 years of hard work all comes down to performing your best in a couple of exams on a day which may or may not be your best day. Be kind to your kids. A-Levels are absolutely not the be all and end all of your kids future. I left school with 5 GCSE’s and no A-Levels but subsequently went on to do a Law degree and a teaching degree and become a successful Law lecturer. Despite what the government insists, A-Levels are NOT easy.

Enko · 02/08/2019 10:02

I am nervous about it. Dd2 resat one of her subjects I the hope of getting the A she needs to get into the universe she wants. I badly want her to get it as it has been a hard route the last few years for her. She has a 2nd uni lined up with near a unconditional offer but has her heart set on the other. I hope she has got the grades needed.

Original poster

BertrandRussell · 02/08/2019 11:37

Ds doesn’t actually need A levels for his immediate plans- which is good, because he is unlikely to get any!- but they would be useful to have. Oh well.

OP posts:

Clutterfreeintraining · 15/08/2019 09:27

Good luck to the children getting their results today!!

Zaphodsotherhead · 15/08/2019 09:55

I remember the sheer horror of results day only too well - my lot are all past that age now. Good luck to all of your DCs today.

placemats · 15/08/2019 10:10

My son's nerves are torn to shreds. We talked about it and are going in later.

I'm about to make him a cup of tea and some breakfast.

He's already in yr 14 (has a full EHCP).

Best of luck to everyone here and bad results are never the end of the world. There is always another way forward.

placemats · 15/08/2019 10:13

And yes, A levels are difficult and demanding exams. My daughters both got 2 Bs and a C. Eldest got a 2:1 and 2nd daughter got a First.

My nephew got 3 A* and dropped out of Uni during his second year.

All are doing well in life and happy.

MsAwesomeDragon · 15/08/2019 10:14

Good luck to all of you waiting for results today. I hope they aren't as disastrous as you fear, and your dcs find future plans to suit then with the results they get.

I'm waiting to hear about my class's results. I'm not holding out much hope for some of them but over got my fingers tightly crossed that they all manage to get a grade at least.

placemats · 15/08/2019 12:58

My son did well! He would have liked higher grades but my goodness, he really has done well. He does get to have a second go next year, hopefully with a more mature attitude.

I think he's secretly relieved he passed!

CakeNinja · 15/08/2019 13:04

This won’t be me for another couple of years, expecting results for dd1.
Best of luck to everyone who has dc receiving theirs today, as pps have said - no matter what, these results do not define anyone’s future
Fantastic if they’ve flourished and ended up with what they need but if not, there will always be a way.
Hope there aren’t lots of despondent kids out there today.

Dizzywizz · 15/08/2019 21:25

Well done to your son @placemats!

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