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Original poster

someone w older kids - do we need to be home for GCSE results day?

33 replies

sunshineandsuddenshowers · 03/01/2023 15:32

We are trying to balance up all sorts of things for our summer holidays, and I'm trying to work out how important it is that we are at home for GCSE results day.

Is it important to go in on the day? Do we need to be around in the days after to do stuff immediately (likelihood is they'll be changing schools for sixth form)?

I'd assumed that it was 100% necessary, but it'd make a big difference to holiday plans if we didn't need to be around... Advice??

OP posts:

Tulipvase · 03/01/2023 15:35

At our school you can access the results on line but I guess it depends if the child actually wants to go to school and collect them.

Icedlatteplease · 03/01/2023 15:36

Yes we were really busy in the week after results day there was a barrage of college admissions stuff that needed doing.DD also dipped her maths so that needed dealing with.

Maybe less if you are continuing in the same college and aren't dodgy for any of your results. I think DD college may have had a later admission option too but I can't really remember

Tulipvase · 03/01/2023 15:36

Actually, the school did have a 2 min chat with the children that wanted to go to 6th form, just to check results were ok for their A level choices, but if you aren’t going to that 6th form it shouldn’t matter.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General education Secondary education

TheTeenageYears · 03/01/2023 15:37

Schools have different arrangements for results including one I know of from this summer where there was no online/email option to receive. If there is any risk of not meeting the requirements for 6th form or specific subjects I would personally rather be at home, in the right time zone with teachers on hand for advice.

Snoopystick · 03/01/2023 15:38

My DS all got an email from school. Just check what their procedure is.

Kaftankween · 03/01/2023 15:38

We didn’t have to be but I think it varies school to school.

We were able to get results online. Schedule teacher chats if needed and fill in forms if requesting regrades, all online.

this was helpful as we were in the USA on a delayed from 2020 holiday.

I think it’s best to ask school directly though. However, it’s not like A levels where immediate action is required. Even regrade requests have weeks to submit.

bestchristmasever · 03/01/2023 15:39

I wouldn't be away, just in case the results are a disaster and you need to start looking at alternatives to what you had planned.

TeenDivided · 03/01/2023 15:40

I'd say broadly speaking Yes.
Your child can celebrate with their friends.
Any results that are way out they can discuss possible remarks.
If disastrous and you need to rethink courses you are there on the spot.
Sign ups for 6th forms / college can happen soon after.

All of these can be worked round, but nicer to be at home.

MargaretThursday · 03/01/2023 15:40

I would if you're changing schools for 6th form.

It's much harder if they haven't got the results they need to discuss it over the phone.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 03/01/2023 15:40

DS really wanted to be around to pick up his GCSE results with his mates (and go to subsequent parties) so we did book our family holiday so as not to clash last year.

I don't remember there being much to do with college admissions but he did get the results he was expecting so was straightforward.

Athenen0ctua · 03/01/2023 15:40

Ds had to collect results and take the paperwork to the new sixth form on the day

Iamblossom · 03/01/2023 15:40

Nope - we were in Corfu when I got the email.

What a way to ruin a holiday lunch that was.

EspeciallyDetermined · 03/01/2023 15:42

If you are pretty confident they will get the grades they need for 6th form and that they won't mind missing it then it's not essential. You can probably also deal with disappointing grades remotely by contacting the future 6th form or college but it could get complicated if they have to change subjects or resit maths or English.

It is a special day going back to school with all your friends, sharing results, taking photos, chatting to the staff. Also some schools allow you to access them on a portal, some email them out to non-attendees which might take longer depending on numbers. My DC's school it was very much expected that they would go in and nearly all did. Those that got emails had to wait till later in the day.

GnomeDePlume · 03/01/2023 15:42

Being around was useful when we wanted to ask for a remark for DS He asked for it himself but having his Dad stood behind him did add power to the discussion.

Original poster

sunshineandsuddenshowers · 03/01/2023 15:43

OK sounds like we need to check w school. He should be fine w his grades and his sixth form choices, but it does sound like we ought to plan to be at home. Damn damn. For various reasons it means we'll be really squeezed on family time away...

OP posts:

EspeciallyDetermined · 03/01/2023 15:43

Honestly there was no way we would have gone away then.

Faircastle · 03/01/2023 15:43

If everything goes straightforwardly, they get the results they are expecting, and they don't need to register for their courses on the day, then they don't need to be there in person.

Some reasons why they might need to be there in person:

If one of their grades is anomalous and they need to ask a member of staff for the breakdown of marks to decide whether to request a check / remark.

If the 6th form or college has limited places and they need to register in person on the day with evidence of their results.

If they don't quite get the grades required for their chosen courses and they need to negotiate or find out about availability on alternative courses.

If they change their mind about what courses they want to take and they want to ask about availability on alternative courses.

Snoopystick · 03/01/2023 15:45

My DS was away in South America with a delayed Camps International trip and it made no difference. He was emailed his results and he let us know, he then just emailed his college acceptance.

rookiemere · 03/01/2023 15:46

I'd ask your DS what he thinks.
Most things can be done remotely these days, so even if things do need to be changed then as long as you have wifi and phone connectivity, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Frazzled2207 · 03/01/2023 15:47

I recall being on holiday (sort of, was an orchestra tour) for mine. Was fine but I had a clear plan and a back up plan and I think a phone call or two and all was well.

A level results day was more complicated- If you didn’t get grades then you had to call around the unis for places. If you got the grades no real urgency to do anything and it there was it could be done online. That said, a -level results day was a big night out IIRC!

dizzydizzydizzy · 03/01/2023 15:49

It's a big day and the results affect your DC's next steps. You might have to make important decisions that day. I would definitely be around to either support or celebrate with your DC .

FusionChefGeoff · 03/01/2023 15:50

Faircastle · 03/01/2023 15:43

If everything goes straightforwardly, they get the results they are expecting, and they don't need to register for their courses on the day, then they don't need to be there in person.

Some reasons why they might need to be there in person:

If one of their grades is anomalous and they need to ask a member of staff for the breakdown of marks to decide whether to request a check / remark.

If the 6th form or college has limited places and they need to register in person on the day with evidence of their results.

If they don't quite get the grades required for their chosen courses and they need to negotiate or find out about availability on alternative courses.

If they change their mind about what courses they want to take and they want to ask about availability on alternative courses.

Actually I think you're missing one:

5). They want to have that key moment, that shared experience with their friends

I still have some of my happiest ever images from my results day etched into my brain

Original poster

sunshineandsuddenshowers · 03/01/2023 15:53

We will def be w him whatever happens! he's very much in two minds about whether he thinks it matters - but as he's the eldest none of us have been through this, which is why I wanted advice from those who have!

I don't anticipate problems w his grades, but of course it's impossible to tell what'll happen between now and August. But it does sound as if there are lots of reasons why we should plan to be back in time. Thanks all.

OP posts:

cantkeepawayforever · 03/01/2023 15:57

I think there is also an element of there being space and time for him and you to process his results without the pressure to ‘be happy, we’re on holiday’.

Obviously, if he does well then it may add an extra gloss - but if he is disappointed about one or more grade, that can cast a cloud that may be difficult to lift for the rest of the holiday, where ‘being happy’ is high stakes because of the money paid.

AriettyHomily · 03/01/2023 16:02

My parents took us away on my gcse results day, I was really kissed off tbh, wanted to celebrate/ commiserate with my friends.

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