Why is it about grades? This might sound a stupid question, but it's one that I've asked about my two - very different - stepchildren and also about my 16 year old daughter.
Why don't we talk about their characters, their gifts, their personal qualities?
And also why do we delude ourselves that a set of exam results - taken in a period when our children are still maturing - will fix their future in stone?
My stepdaughter has always been very good with people, and has a talent for friendship. She was the sort who'd do enough work to keep out of trouble, but was not very ambitious. For a long time she rather drifted along in the shadow of her brother who was considered - by their mother - to be the bright one. She was pleased with her okayish GCSEs - Bs and Cs. Then she went to sixth form college and decided to apply to lots of very sought after universities, but - given the so-so GCSEs - ony got offers from a couple of them. She dropped a grade in her A-levels, but her first choice university still offered her a place.
After a couple of terms she had to change degree course, as she'd not been able to get a modern language up to the require standard. Towards the end of her university degree she decided she wanted to teach. She applied for Teach First and didn't get it.
She then spent a year working part-time as a Learning Support assistant, but got offered increased hours as she did well in this role. After that she did a PGCE at a well-regarded university where in her final placement she was rated as excellent.
She's now doing well in her first teaching job. I suspect she'll flourish as a teacher.
Bit of a long story. The point is that I think it's important to remember that growing up has all sorts of twists and turns, and what matters is the young person her/himself finding out what they want. While we can offer encouragement and support, ultimately this is something they have to do for themselves.