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 grade did she get in the subjects she’s doing for A-Levels at GCSE?

Apologies if I have missed this somewhere upthread, but what are your daughter's predicted grades, Margo?

Picoulde predicted are CCC, DD got BCC as AS (that's a lot of capital letters in a small space!)

Predictee grades (if done properly) aren't an exact science but they are a snapshot of what a child will be likely to achieve based on previous performance, current working level, evidence in books, contributions in class and general attitude to learning.

Things can, and do, change between predictions and the real thing (which easily covers how the prediction can differ from the real thing).

Predicting an A Vs a B when a student is hardworking, generally in the B region, does what they need to, listens to feedback and revises etc is very different from predicting an B when a student is lazy, barely contributes, doesn't do their independent study, routinely hands in 3/4 side for an essay that should be 3 sides and is working at a D+ at best.

If you think she's going to do better than predicted grades, and if predictions mean she's not going to get the offers she wants, then let her apply after results and take a gap year. (And get a job and save some cash!).
It's what a dd did in same circs. Results defied teachers' expectations (to be fair she hadn't been working hard enough) - she applied post results and got all.firm offers, inc. her first choice.

Working hard to get the 3 Bs, or better, and applying after results seems the way to go.
There is a big difference between GCSE and A level, and students who've done well at GCSE often misjudge how much harder they'll have to work for A level.

My DD moved from a private school to a state school . I'd like to comment that the private schools in London are giving the kids higher predicted grades so the kids get lower offers -while in the state system , they feel they need to give the kids more realistic or less ambitious ( and a lot lower ) predicted grades to protect their own reputations.