My DD failed her GCSE miserably

[bassmonsteruk]

Hi all,

My DD didn't get a single pass in her GCSE exams. She got all 3s which caught us off guard and now we're not sure which way to turn. She's not academic but she got 5 when doing past papers in maths, English and science. She's had private tuition for all 3 subjects for the past year and a half. Her school does not allow resits.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I can see a few other posters have tried to explain (thank you :)) but sitting for hours in school learning endless facts and exam techniques just isn't for him. He learns primarily through doing practical things, then has brilliant ideas of how things could be done better or differently. He'll do a few clues in the Times Cryptic Crossword in seconds that I (with a First Class Degree) have been trying to figure out for ages, then walk off and be in to the next thing. Perhaps I should have said 'he doesnt thrive in an academic environment' but that doesnt alter the spirit of the post I made which was to reassure the OP that there are plenty of options out there, and a-levels are not essential.

I've got to be honest. I think she's been badly let down by the school. Realistically even on a 5 for English, A Level history was going to be a stretch and probably isn't realistic. Someone should have had an honest talk with her a bit sooner to avoid this shock.

This isn't a disaster though. She clearly had an idea of what she wanted to do and there are alternative options in that area for her. And in a way it's better she's had a disaster now rather than waste a year next year on a levels and find she's out of her depth and then dropping out and having to start all over again in 12 months time.

It's one of those 'blessing in disguise' things. It may be difficult for her to see today, but honestly it's a good thing not a bad one in the grand scheme of things.

She WILL get there if she wants it. She just needs to know it's going to be hard work whatever route she takes but a less academic one will clearly suit her better.

If your daughter is not academic then she will not enjoy college. How about an apprenticeship with a college day release where she will be able to resit her maths and English. One day a week will be much easier than 5 days a week and she will learn valuable life skills, workplace skills and what is expected of her as an employee. She can work her way up the career ladder from there.

As others have said, OP, all is not lost. My DS passed just two GCSEs (neither of which were maths or English). He went to college and in due course took and passed Functional Skills level 2 qualifications in maths and English (these are equivalent to grade 4 in GCSEs). He took level 2 in a creative subject and gained a Distinction. He progressed to level 3 and has just completed his two year course with a Distinction Star grade. There are so many college courses available for your DD to consider - and hopefully she can find something she both loves and thrives at.

Alevels are a huge jump from GCSEs. If she's getting 3s then she needs to consider her options.what does she want to be? Does she have an idea?

How is your daughter doing? Did her school indicate this could be the case? It has let her down if not. What advice have they given? Could her maths script be sent for review if she was achieving 5s in test papers? I would push for that at least

Level 2 Business with GCSEs in Maths and English or Level 2 Health and Social Care with GCSE Maths and English?

all sorts of intelligence exists not just academic

OP - alternatives to A Levels are not 'less than'. Things have changed, and there are practical/vocational/apprentice/BTEC courses that are all valued and respected and far more suited to your DD.

GCSE's are not a test of her intelligence or value. They are test of how much she remembered and how to she translated her thoughts to paper. That is a skill and I am not taking away from DC who did really well, but it's not the most important skill in the real world or the workplace.

Just as a crude example: LInkedIn now has 'Dyslexic Thinking' as a skill you can add. People who are dyslexic often struggle in exams, but in the workplace, they have very valuable skills and unique ways of problem solving that are of interest to employers. I know your DD isn't dyslexic, but I am just saying that traditional exams are not for everyone and don't showcase many skills. Unless she wants to work for a Big Four accountancy firm, a City bank or in law - most employers are looking for much more than standard grades these days.

Talk to the school. Look at colleges and courses and most importantly, as DD what she thinks she is good at and what she might like to do.

It's hard on results day with people A-Starring all over the place, but this might be the best thing that ever happened to her. It is going to make her re-think her path and perhaps, steer her in a direction more suited to her and a place where she can shine.

To put a positive spin on things, I think this has been a really lucky escape. If she had scraped 4s then she would have MaSSIVELY struggled with these three A levels. At least by getting the 3s she is forced to find a more suitable 16-18 path where she can thrive.

You described your daughter as not being academic so, even if she had gained the grades she had hoped for, I think she would have struggled with A levels. However, there are so many different courses available nowadays that she will certainly find something to suit her. It sounds as if a Btech level 2 while retaking maths and English would be ideal. If she does well at level 2, she could go on to a level 3 course, which is the equivalent of three A levels. Business studies or Health and Social Care are a couple of suggestions that might fit in with her original A level choices.

A levels aren't a good choice for your daughter even with her projected grades i would say. The most sensible option is a level.2 btec at college and she can re-take the maths and English at the same.time. that will take a year and if she does well she can move to a level 3 btec which will give her plenty of options. If you haven't done so already, get on the phone to local colleges in the morning and find her a place. Best of luck!

Can you not grasped that concept whatsoever.

Agree that a college course, to include resits in subjects she needs, is a good option.

Sixth form isn't for everyone. If she's struggled with GCSEs, A-levels are likely to make her miserable.

That’s not a very bright question.

There are lots of different types of intelligence. Most academics are pretty stupid in other ways. I did well at school but if the curriculum required assembly of flat packed furniture I’d have been in bottom set for sure.

My brother has no GCSEs and out earns me and my other siblings. There’s different types of intelligence.

Do not push for a levels!! Help her find her feet in a trade or encourage her to start her own business!! The richest (and coolest but that’s besides the point) woman I know is a make up artist.

I work at a sixth form with an associated FE college. As others have said, she can apply to the local FE, redo the GCSEs in maths and English which are crucial and do a vocational course in something she loves. I'd advise her to think about her true passions - what's does she genuinely love doing? Social media? if so look for digital media courses. Taking photos? photography/art and design courses. People? health and social care. Cars? Automotive. Point is that LOADS of young people end up on academic courses because that's now the standard path but it really isn't for everyone. Best to find what she enjoys and find something similar to that.

I would agree. To be honest, even with 5s she would have found A levels tough. So - look on it this way, her results have done her a bit of a favour, as she can now find something she can excel at.

He may be able to take apart machinery and put it back together intuitively.
He may be shit at exams because of nerves.
He might be clever but hate studying.
He might be clever but overwhelmed socially and lots of head space taken up with that.
He might be clever but disorganised and not do homework.
He might be intelligent but have poor working memory.
He might be able to solve crimes as he can see the connections.(Or other problems)
He might be able to plot out a complex plot of a novel or film.
Might be good at business or investing.
There are lots of ways of being clever.

It means different things to different people. One can be bright, as in understand a subject and even apply it in real life, but do terribly in exams. Some people have excellent memories and just regurgitate what they are told (which I don't think makes them particularly bright; just lucky). Some people pick up and retain information quickly, which I think makes them bright, even if whatever they're learning isn't a subject that will get them into Oxford. Some people are good at reading people/situations and others aren't. I think all can appear bright in different ways.

Being bright does not necessarily mean being academic…

He may be extremely intelligent, have a clear understanding of a subject but be unable to put pen to paper under “normal” exam conditions. He may have excellent business acumen or possibly shows initiative in situations his peers may not. He may flourish in a hands on subject and will excel in the real world.

Your comment has demonstrated that you have a somewhat outdated perception of intelligence.

Richard Branson
Steve Jobs
Mark Zuckerberg
Sir Alan Sugar
Oprah Winfrey
Thomas Edison
Henry Ford

All dropped out.
None were academic or successful in the exam arena

They did okay.

They’re clearly not very bright!

Have you never met anyone with dyslexia, as an example? Some people can’t cope with the quantity of reading and writing required for academic success but some of those people excel in situations where their intelligence can be harnessed without so much written language processing. Like writing music (which they may or may not actually write down) or creating plans for physical things (architecture, pattern making, sculpture, design).

They don’t mean exactly the same thing; you can be bright and possess a more practical intelligence/skillset without being academic.