GCSE results,.. collecting in person

[courtyardofhope]

I have read about this in the last couple of days somewhere and now second guessing myself
Should I offer to go in to the school building with DC or let them go in alone

Looking at the responses so far, it will vary by school.

At DD's school last year, we went into the school grounds together, then the parents waited outside whilst the students went into the hall to collect the results. There were lots of teachers on hand to support and a specific area that student/parents could go to discuss results with a member of the SLT if things hadn't gone to plan. All of the computer rooms were open to allow the students staying on for Sixth Form to finalise their A Level choices on the online portal and/or make any changes they wished to do so. We were there for around an hour whilst she caught up with all her friends and finalised her A Level choices.

Just to note, there were reporters from our regional TV station approaching selected students to open their results 'on air' - DD and one of her friends were asked to do this, but politely refused.

Afterwards, we went off to Pizza Express as a family to celebrate. It felt like half of the town had the same idea!

Good luck to all for tomorrow.

I’m amazed by all these schools with carparks!

All the best to your daughter, @courtyardofhope 🤞🏻

My ds was the same.

So much so when I said if he's hanging around with mates after to let me know - and he can tell me the results at the same time - and I'd go home and come back to get him later.

He said "oh - you did t seem that bothered about them"

Clearly overplayed the cool parent bit

In our school it is normal for parents to go in with the students. Coffee and croissants are available. I think it really depends on the school.

I think our daughters need us more than they let on !

School is in a rural market town with poor public transport.

Ask them, but be aware they may change their mind on the day.

DD1 told me she'd run in, grab the results and run out, then I could drive her away and only then she'd open them.
When it came to it, after half an hour of sitting outside listening to screaming I messaged to ask what had happened.
She'd met friends, and decided to stay and open together.

Dd2 got her results, came out and announced I could take her shopping and she'd tell me one result every Time I bought something for her 🙄

Ds was planning on getting his results then going for breakfast. Instead he got his results, ran back to the car, threw the envelope at me and told me he was going bowling with his friends and could I pick him up at 9pm. (And could he borrow £10)

It must be a small school. There were 270 in DD's year.

500 in DDs year ! Parents definitely allowed with them.

I think it helped that a) the school gave out time slots for the student to come in, b) not every parent drove and c) we used the primary school one next to the secondary one as overflow.
DD’s school only has 10 visitor parking spaces.

We live within walking distance of school so he just went in and got them himself and sent me a photo of the results slip.

I can't actually remember with A levels, he might have driven to get them himself or maybe I drove him and stayed in the car. He knew he had what he needed for university so we knew the minimum results.

I'd be guided by your DC (and be flexible to them changing their mind at the last minute).

Will they also be signing up for sixth form study at the same time? If that's encouraged and they don't get the necessary grades, be prepared to offer support as needed.

Another carpark waiter here, for both GCSEs and A levels. We live over 20 miles from school and there's no public transport so not a lot of option about driving them to school but I didn't see many parents actually going in. Parents weren't forbidden at our school but it was definitely not the done thing and I think my kids would have been embarrassed if I'd insisted on going in.
I think there's something to be said for being close by in case of any nasty surprises that might affect the next stage. Obviously that depends on where you live though. If you're 5 mins away and could go in if needed it's probably not necessary to sit at the end of the school drive, but for us, with home 30 mins away and work an hour's drive I always took the day off for results day and waited nearby, just in case.

Apparently v few parents go to my DS’ school and he is keen to go with mates. All good as long as I get an immediate update. Best of luck all!

My son’s school puts on a breakfast for the parents! I was expecting to wait in the car park

I’ve been told to drop off and he’ll WhatsApp me. Charming eh!

I always think that it must be very difficult for the students who don't do as well as they were hoping, when the school makes a big song and dance about results day and they don't have the option of just slinking away.

My son will go with his friends and i’ll be at home hoping he sends me a photo!

220 in a year group.

We open at 8.30 (staff in from 7.30) and students have grouped time slots. SLT are in, plus all of pastoral and there are around 30 of us teachers who go in too. My head gives us the time back in lieu as they want as many staff in as possible to make the day as supportive as it can be.

Good luck to all getting results!

Is this a state school?

Years ago for me but my school was city center! I remember going in and opening them and calling my mum and she was in Savers. She dropped the basket and ran out to take the call like a loony. We still laugh about it.

She did go back in 2 mins later and buy the stuff 🤣

I am ancient. In 1975 when the O level results came out they were posted to us.

Me too. On a long strip of paper. Our post is shite though and arrives about 2pm!!

He wants me to wait in the car park. I've told him to open the envelope whenever he feels he wants to, either in school or with me or at home. I'm planning to take him back home and just go off to work, but feel as if I should be doing something special for him, or at least taking the morning off, but I reckon he'll just go up to his room or out in the garden and carry on as if it's a normal day 😄

Ask your child what they want you to do.

My eldest wanted me to drive him there but wait in the car. My youngest wants to walk with friends, he's getting his tomorrow.

Parents are allowed on the school grounds but not inside.