All 3s in GCSEs. Feeling hopeless.

[eyespartyparty]

I haven’t slept or eaten much since. Colleges are all closed due to the weekend/bank holiday so I can’t confirm DS has a place anywhere to do anything. I just feel like screaming. All his friends have done great and will all be going to their chosen places in a couple of weeks and I am just avoiding speaking to anyone or leaving the house as I can’t bear to keep repeating it.

I know some have been mentioned, thank you titchy I’m not quite sure why I have annoyed you so much with this thread but your tone is not particularly helpful or needed today while I’m feeling like this so perhaps you could move on to doing something else rather than telling me what I should have done.

No he was fine and actually came out of all of them apart from one, saying that he thought they’d gone well!

Get straight onto FE Colleges. We waited for a remark, and then all the level 2 courses were full. Luckily DD has an EHCP and the LA funded 2 terms of English and Maths tutoring, and now she can do the vocational course she wants.

Get cracking as soon as he is back with all the Colleges within a reasonable distance.

Be positive, he will find his niche. Maybe his niche is vocational, maybe he was unlucky with the academics. Either way, it is going to be ok!

I say that as someone who has been in your situation. There is a way forward, even if it isn't the conventional way you expected.

Also, if he doesn't get onto a course, look into the Kings Trust, they do 12 week development programmes for young people out of education/ training

I’ve filled in a form for remarking a couple of them where he was close to the boundary, just annoying I can’t send it in until Tuesday as everything is closed. I think that’s what’s causing me to panic as I feel like I’m unable to do anything. But the comments about courses not being full have been very helpful in calming me down.

I agree with everyone else suggesting a BTech Level 2 course in one of his interests plus retaking Maths and English. This would mean that he would be able to go on to a two year level 3 course, which is the equivalent of three A levels. Many, many people have gone down this route and done well at university later on. The beauty of BTechs is that they are all coursework and no exams. It really is not the end of the world but it must feel like it at the moment. Things will get better, though. One last thing: you mention possible ASD. Did your son have extra time in his exams?

No advice. But so sorry you and your family are going through this. Our system needs to have a good hard look at itself.

My son went to Guildford College many years ago. He did a level 2 BTech, then a level 3. He wasn’t sure what route after that, so he upped his temporary work in a supermarket. They wanted to put him into their management programme, but he decided against that and completely off his own bat, applied to university. He had a guaranteed place, because of the good marks in the B Tech. It took a couple of years longer than most, but it worked out for the best in the end.

Oh bless you OP. Yes I think just write out your list of options and try and distract yourself as nothing you can do. Maybe try the worst case scenario model of thinking - often worst case scenario isn't as bad as we think.

Poor kid, that’s tough.
What is he interested in? Is an apprenticeship a viable alternative?

I am just avoiding speaking to anyone or leaving the house as I can’t bear to keep repeating it.

You don't need to tell people his results. Just say "He didn't do as well as he wanted so might do resits."

Also try farnbourough college

I just wanted to say that my daughter didn't get all her predicted 5&6s either 2yrs ago, she got enough that she didn't have to do resits. She went to 6th form and managed to get on to two level three BTEC courses and A level Geography. She did really well in all subjects and is one of those few children who did better at level three with fewer subjects than at level 2. I also did the same and did much better at level three than two, I have a handful of grade Cs and then went on to smash out a BTEC myself which got me in to Uni.

Which side of Guildford?

In case this helps:

• Alton College
• Godalming College
• Farnham College
• Woking College
• Brooklands
• Farnborough
• NESCOT
• Reigate

Thanks so much for all the advice and lists of other colleges. I went for a walk and pulled myself together and feeling much better now. I think the A level route might have been too much for him so maybe things will work out better this way anyway in the long term.

Taking the weekend to give you time to think things through is no bad thing. This feels huge right now but you will find solutions and move forward.

Does he know what he wants to do beyond alevels / now BTECs? That can help him think courses he would be interested in.

Look after yourself, you need to sleep and eat, otherwise your body will got into panic mode which does no one any good. Everyone is well, it is just a twist in life.

Yes you’re right. The not being able to sleep has been truly horrendous, I just haven’t been able to stop my brain going round in circles. Hopefully tonight will be better now I’ve talked things out.

B tech level 2 plus retake of maths and English sounds ideal for him, with a view to progressing to level 3z Colleges want students, he’ll get in. Think about what he is interested in and what he is good at. So media, sports science, health and social? Let him go to the college and speak to them about his options . They will be very used to this situation. I hope he had a great time in reading!!

I know it seems like the end of the world now, but it’s isn’t, not in the great scheme of things. Also mumsnet probably isn’t the healthiest place to hang around as the DC on here are generally incredibly high achieving when compared to the general population.

get him to look at courses on the local college websites and ear mark anything he fancies that it looks like he could get into. He’ll be able to get onto a level 2 course and retake English and maths along side. There will be plenty of choices with all the various trades, sports science, health and social care, education etc. call them on Tuesday and he’ll be able to go in for a chat and interviews etc.

This maybe a blessing in disguise as it’s seems as it seems he would have struggled with A levels and would have just been setting himself up for failure.

also, as someone who only passed 2 GCSEs and to this day doesn’t have an actual English GCSE (I have functional skills English). I can tell you this is not the end. I have a first class degree and a professional career. He’ll get there if he wants it enough.

Colleges will be used to this lots of kids have to change their plans because of exam results
He can do a level two course and level three next year it's really not the end of the world..

If he's getting all threes, than Alevels are probably not the best course for him
It's fine there will be other courses he's more suited to.

Btec level 2 would be perfect for him.
What were his total marks? Was he very close to 4s in any subjects?
Worth a remark request, if so.
He would struggle at A level with 5s and 6s tbh
My older dd needed 7s in her A level subject choices and 6s in maths and English Language.

Get an appointment with college asap and he can find a suitable course and work his way up.

Talking it through always helps - thoughts always spiral and multiply when there is no outlet.

There are lots of options and he will find something.

Sleep well tonight.

What about focusing on media? The nctj does courses at all levels and they will set him up well for getting a job

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