to think that predicted grades for UCAS should represent the best your DC could do, not something a bit crappy

[MargoLovebutter]

I really don't know if I'm being AIBU, but second DC is having trouble with her school being really pessimistic about her predicted grades.

The school has signed up to some scheme whereby they get kudos for estimating grades achieved accurately and it seems to me they are more interested in this than my DC getting into a good uni.

DD did well in her GCSEs (having done bugger all revision), she's reasonably bright if a bit lazy but is now properly motivated to get into uni. The school seem really reluctant to give her predictions that seem perfectly achievable to me and I am the antithesis of a pushy mum!!!!!

I had no such problems with DC1, so I'm wondering if this is a new thing or what the fuck is going on?

What's the problem with applying with grades in hand if she is convinced she's been under predicted?

Well obviously because she'd then either have to take a gap year or what's available in clearing. Which may not include the course she wishes.

I think your daughter sounds as though her input into her own learning is minimal. You say she couldn't be bothered to revise, I am willing to bet engagement with other aspects of her learning is minimal too. Does she contribute in class, does she complete assignments properly , thoughtfully and in depth or are they rushed, minimal and barely finished on time, does she read around her subjects, make notes, review her weeks learning. Sounds to me as though you are enabling her in her poor ethic, tinkly laugh "my DD never revises but always comes through in the exams"

Teachers can only assess the learning they see, both you and your daughter seem to have a rather entitled view of how the system works. And indeed, why should your daughter be predicted grades which might get her an offer on a course that she would not get an offer for if the teachers are being honest about her capability.

viques - her classroom contributions are always noted as excellent. In every single report ever. Her homework isn't the best and her revision is a struggle, largely because of her ADHD, but she can do it under pressure. She is actively involved in the school, helping coach the younger years and she volunteers as well, so her engagement with learning is there.

I don't tinkly laugh, I don't have the time - I'm a single mum, work full-time and my eldest has autism, so that keeps me too busy for any tinkly laughing. How the fuck you get that I'm a tinkly laugher, enabling my DDs poor work ethic I really don't know.

If you daughter did little revision and is reasonably bright but a bit lazy she is not university material.

Why should she do better in the actual A levels than the end y12 / AS exams? There is a shed load of new content to learn in y13

Yes but most people work harder in Y13 than they did in Y12. As far as I remember I had a progression from L6 exams to A levels (didn't do AS levels as I am too old) and got ABB in L6th, AAB in mocks and AAA in actuals. So yes I would expect a higher prediction than you actually got in Y12.

If she did well at GCSEs having done no revision then it is perfectly possible she actually doesn't know how to revise and will come a cropper for the A levels

but I also agree with this to an extent, although I did very little work for GCSEs, coasted, got ok grades and then once I'd got rid of the subjects I didn't like, did better at A level. We are all different.

Clearing is all very well but people have problems with accommodation even with insurance offers so really you want a firm offer early on.

roisinagusniamh - really? Why's that then?

Or wait and apply for the following year with actual grades.

If you daughter did little revision and is reasonably bright but a bit lazy she is not university material

Really? That was me, and I got a 2.1, close to a first at uni (in the days when firsts weren't given out like toffees, two people in my year of around 200 got firsts).

@Grumpyperson - yes, she'd really like not to have to go through clearing. It's the accommodation that worries her most about that.

I met my ds' tutor last week. For what it's worth OP she said that for grade predictions they take into account Y12 exam grades AND contribution in class and coursework through the year. Which seems like the common sense approach to me.

I'm so confused. So:

1. you are worried the school are putting an emphasis on being right
2. therefore this disadvantages your daughter because she wants higher grades The school is just giving the realistic grades they see now. It's not in your daughter's interests to have inflated predictions. When I've taught in schools that inflate to get kids the uni places they then all missed the grades, lost their places, didnt have realistic safety choices, were distraught etc. Realistic grades are best for your daughter. The school is doing its best to predict realistically. Ergo there is no problem surely?

she'd really like not to have to go through clearing. It's the accommodation that worries her most about that.

I think you both have put the cart before the horse there! She has to pass her A levels first. And that includes the UCAS procedure.

PLEASE just go and talk to her HoY and start her off on a more proactive, less resentful, track - and yes, OP. You DO sound resentful here. That won't be helping you or your DD!

CuriousaboutSamphire I'm not resentful, I'm concerned and I'm trying to support DD the best way I can.

I've already said I'm going to talk to the head of sixth form but I wanted some input here to see if I was missing something. I appreciate your points, but you don't have to keep telling me to go and talk to the school, I've already said that I am going to do that.

SchrodingersUnicorn as I've said the experience to date is that the school under-predict DD. Up to now that hasn't really mattered, but it will impact the universities she can apply to. I'm just keen to make sure that the predictions are genuinely realistic and not on the crap side for DD.

Grumpyperson

Posters are commenting on the current situation, in the current climate and with the current A Levels. Talking about what you did, way back when, is not helpful really.

Her homework isn't the best and her revision is a struggle, largely because of her ADHD, but she can do it under pressure

OP, you can make all the excuses in the world (I don't mean the ADHD, you have only just mentioned that) in regards to the current standard of her work but this still will not raise her predicted grades on its own. roisinagusniamh is partly correct because if she is not willing to independently go the extra mile academically now (note I say academically and not referring to spending time mentoring other students), how will she cope with a university degree? You still seem to be avoiding acknowledging my points regarding what your DD could be doing now. Empty promises of "she works under pressure" doesn't cut it for predicted grades. She's under a decent amount of pressure now and doesn't seem to be coping as well as you say she is able. As you have now stated she has ADHD, how she presents will be useful to know in supporting her right now, to show she should have higher predicted grades and ultimately, will also actually help her achieve them. Physical written work, at the graded standard she is wanting, will be required before any change in decision is even considered.

I disagree that the OP sounds resentful but talking to the school and finding out why they've done this - and if there is any scope for changing the predictions would be a good idea.

I personally would be bit worried about Clearing option - especially for one of mine that struggles with change.

However, if the school won't budge applying a year later with the actual grades may well be worth looking into especially if it’s actually impacting on where she can realistically apply to – at least it would be 12 months more savings – though I can see downsides as well.

Fair enough! I meant get off here, stop dwelling on the past inaccuracies and concentrate on what can be done from now on.

And it is comments like this that made me thnk you sound resentful. You have said this in many ways now and have brushed off any explanation of why this may stiil be happending, which won't help your DD at all Up to now that hasn't really mattered, but it will impact the universities she can apply to. I'm just keen to make sure that the predictions are genuinely realistic and not on the crap side for DD

KittyVonCatsington where did I say DD isn't coping? I said she'd significantly upped her game - how do you get not coping from that?

I am not going to list out all the additional stuff she is doing right now, for you to pick holes in it and say it is not enough. I'll have that discussion with her head of year.

I am very amused at the thought that universities are entirely filled by students who have an excellent work ethic and study skills.

I was a lazy so and so in one of my A-levels, as I didn't enjoy it, in terms of barely showing up at class. I got a B in my AS, and my mock, and my tutor wanted to predict me a C at A2, based on class performance and attendance. Probably she was right to, however it was essential to be predicted a B and no lower in that subject, so I (not my parents) took it further and ended up getting it changed to a B. I knew I would be able to achieve a B with a bit of work, but I think the teacher didn't have the same confidence in my cocky 17 year old self. I can't blame her looking back. (Got a B though didn't I.)

CuriousaboutSamphire why do I need to get off here? I started the thread, surely I have a reason to stay on?

I'm not brushing anything off. I'm reading back through posts to see if I'm missing anything and trying to take it all on board. I want to be well-informed and reasonable when I chat to DDs head of sixth form. I have limited time, so it seems sensible to have a meaningful and worthwhile conversation.

If I don't think I've understood or I don't think something is right, then I'm going to question it - isn't that the point of seeking opinions and having an online discussion. This is in AIBU after all.

Also, I don't blame you for wanting to push it. If your daughter doesn't want an unnecessary gap year or to go through clearing it's stressful to be forced to.

where did I say DD isn't coping?

Um, here...Her homework isn't the best and her revision is a struggle

I am not going to list out all the additional stuff she is doing right now, for you to pick holes in it and say it is not enough. I didn't say you had to but I am trying to help you support your DD by not just saying talk to her HoY but to actually go in with a plan - how can you now see that?
I'll have that discussion with her head of year. When I first mentioned what you had talked to your DD about, you didn't say you were going to do that yet. What I was trying to do was ascertain whether or not DD is actually pro-actively showing she is capable, vs just moaning/arguing that she wants a higher predicted grade, which, believe me, plenty of students and parents just do. Going in to have a talk with the HoY, with no plan, won't actually help change any decisions unless your DD has something to physically show. Please just re-read each of my posts as I genuinely think you keep missing or misunderstanding my points.

What you have misunderstood is that is wasn't about overall pass rates dropping etc but that following Year 10 and mock exams an entire cohort of students taking the new GCSE's for the first time were "in general" under-predicted by their schools becasue the mocks provided by the exam boards (specifically in maths and science) were so hard and teachers assumed the grade boundaries would be similar than in previous years where in actual fact they were not.

As Kitty said OP.
It doesn't sound like she is very indepentant.

why do I need to get off here? For your DDs sake? As I said, stop dwelling on what happend during her GCSEs. Focus on now, going forward.

Despite the misunderstandings that is all I have said!

roisinagusniamh - really? How should I prove her independence to you? She has had two holiday jobs, she's done volunteering in a charity shop, she's gone on holiday with her friends, she's gone to festivals, she's done her DofE expeditions, she organised her own work experience. How much more independent would you like her to be?

KittyVonCatsington I said I was making an appointment to see the head of sixth form at 09.59!!!!! I've done it now. I still don't need to tell you what DD is doing to have the conversation with the head of sixth form.

CuriousaboutSamphire surely predictions are all about dwelling on the past? Teachers predict based on past performance do they not?