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.

Don't panic she's not the only one by a long stretch. What is important now is showing her there are options, she's not a failure but clearly the more academic route of Alevels isn't for her. Go and visit the local college and try and find a vocational course that interests her and do that alongside Maths & English resits. Within a couple of years she could trained in a new skill and starting her career by which time her GCSE's will be irrelevant.

Good luck to her.

All is not lost. Academics are overated.

I’m in a team of 2 in a large public body. My team mate is 4 months younger than me, and was the same school year. We joined our employer through the same recruitment drive 20 years ago.

He’s an electrical engineer, I’m a civil engineer. Both Chartered. He left school at 16 and joined the armed services, was apprenticed, and worked his way through technician grades. Left after 20 years.

I have O levels, A levels, degree, masters, PhD, professional Fellowship… but 10 years less of actually doing the job.

So, 2 people doing the same job, same employer, same salary, same grade etc etc etc. One totally non academic; one a long papertrail of academic qualifications. We both got to the same place in the end, and both of us feels its the right place for us.

My colleague is bright, witty, driven, engaging and incredibly well read. Our backgrounds are totally different, but professionally we could not be more equal. There are so many alternatives to GCSEs and A Levels.

College course and retake exams there? It really is not the end of the world and do not write her off academically. I was considered one of those non academic pupils. Hated school and left without exams. Did an access course in later years, did a degree and MA - got a first in every single assignment. I did social policy for my degree and education for MA. Turns out I am very academic - but school was not for me.

Same way my dyslexic daughter is I suspect. Following an academic framework isn’t the only way or the right way for lots of people. My daughter has a phenomenal memory and loves to learn but you put her in an exam setting there is no way that is evident.

As of this month there are foundation apprenticeships - maths and English not needed but must be studied for up to 19. After 19 - not needed or needed to be studied for - unless the employer specifies needed.

As of this month there are foundation apprenticeships - maths and English not needed but must be studied for up to 19. After 19 - not needed or needed to be studied for - unless the employer specifies needed.

Yes, I think some people just don't suit institutional life, and school is as institutional as it gets. I know several people who just took a little longer to discover their academic mojo. Struggled at school, worked a few years in various capacities, and went back later on and absolutely thrived in higher education and ended up with excellent degrees to a very high level.
Also, some people aren't academic, but really thrive at real life - running their own businesses etc. That's great too. Neither better or worse. If you're happy, not harming anyone and contributing to society, you're a successful person in my view 😊

I'm a tutor and Examiner. Students this year seem to have achieved a grade lower or even two in certain subjects. However, the standard of papers this year was also far lower than previous years for some reason.

You can get their scripts for free. I would suggest getting them and asking the tutors where they lost marks.

A local college will probably offer resits alongside an appropriate course. She could possibly do GCSE Sociology and Psychology alongside the resits for example. Or a Level 2 Course. This will greatly boost skills in order to take A-levels, or achieve goals through a different approach.

I concur. DS went into 6th form with 4-7 at GCSE to do A-levels and struggled hugely. He passed his A-levels but grades are not good enough to go on to university (and the enthusiasm has been knocked out of him). We should have guided him to something more vocational / and apprenticeship as the last two years were something of a waste for him

The thing I've not seen mentioned yet is asking her school to obtain copies of the transcripts with a view to looking at whether there's an error in the marking and whether it's worth challenging any of the grades.

A levels aren't going to be right for her now. She doesn't currently have the skills for them but that's not to say they won't be right for her in the future.

Worth looking at the transcripts yourselves and looking for dyslexic type errors - even mildly affected dyslexics find their skills break down under pressure so the transcripts may help support an application for access arrangements for future exams.

Sorry - wrong thread.

Or to give direction on why the responses did not meet the mark scheme and to identify gaps in knowledge and exam technique.

There’s always ways to fix things, I did GCSE retakes at college.

I hope your girl knows it’s not the end of the world and there is something she can do about it. Sending love 💐

I would be rather upset with the tutor first, daughter second
A year and a half of individual tuition and those results? Something does not ring quite true here

Resits at college, lots of exam practice with past papers and awareness of timings according to marks awarded.

My daughters just failed her English for 3rd time, she's nearly 19. She's now going to do functional skills on something called Routes at college.

Functional skills English is really good and much more accessible than the Eng Lang GCSE. I wrote a long post today or yesterday on it somewhere if you search my user name.

Thank you appreciate it. Doesn't help my mood when a colleagues son passed everything with top grades..I feel my DD should do a practical trade, like plastering etc, she's not a typical girly girl.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/further_education/5396234-english-gcse-resit-failed-other-options

@CandidHelper This is the thread.

She isnt academic you said it yourself. Attending college is a great option and it is important to obtain 3 A-Cs in Maths, english and science. Thats all enplpyers care about. Some just care about English and Science.

I got 10 As for GCSE and let me tell you mwver once did any university or any employer give a rats Ask. They want A-C in Maths and English.

It is not the end of the world. Uni and A Levels at school ate not the end all be all. College, diplomas, vocational etc etc. What doea she want to do. Any ideas? Work experince is Fantastic. Building your CV now is fantastic. Employers love that. Employers want adults to demonstrate tranaferable skills. Organisation, punctuality etc etc.

I got my first job the day after my last exam worked aaaaaal summer long until the firat day of A Levels and worked until I left and took 2 years off to work before chooaing a degree. I was the most employable in my graduate year for my degree. I was the first candidate out of 100 interviewed for a job at Kings college hospital.

Basically no one will care how long it took you to get there as long as she works her butt off in whatever area gove it 100% college, qork on the job whatever. Look at bulking up that's CV.

My first job was a factory worker. It doesn't matter start somewhere.

Your daughter can still get where she needs to be through college courses re_taking maths and English my son did..
Nvqs offer a great way to reach a good level in all kinds of areas .

I was in a similar position to your daughter. I went to college and did 2 resits in English and maths and undertook another GCSE at night school. It was a tough year but I passed everything and went on to a BTEC national which in turn led to a HND. I now 33 years later work in the NHS in an admin role. She will find a way forward as I did.

Look gcses are not all that. What's more important is being able to think and that also comes with age and experience. I failed maths twice and got bad results with 2 x E's and I've done alright. It's more attitude in life imo you can make your own opportunities.

how did she feel they went? Was she surprised? Did she crumble with some performance anxiety?

Sounds like she might need some support whatever route she takes next, no good spending a year at college for resits if she’s not coping under exam conditions.

Wrong post