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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

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Original poster

A level results day 2021 support thread

859 replies

Mrs08 · 31/07/2021 15:46

Hi 👋
I thought it might be nice to have a support thread for us parents? (Can't see one in further Ed yet??)
It's been such a difficult time for our kids - and for us! - but the end is in sight!
Ds will get an e mail at 8.30am (apparently) and can go into college in person if he needs help/advice.
Good luck everyone!
X

OP posts:
EwwSprouts · 01/08/2021 12:14

Good luck to your DS. Only waiting for the one result here as it's an A level taken early so not so high stakes.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 12:16

Thank you :)

Hope your dc get the result they want x

OP posts:
Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 01/08/2021 12:18

My ds has to go into school and pick up his envelope. I am absolutely sick with worry. The teachers were steadfastly NOT talking about grades at all so while i like to think he will gave done well, there is no real way of knowing.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 12:28

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow

My ds has to go into school and pick up his envelope. I am absolutely sick with worry. The teachers were steadfastly NOT talking about grades at all so while i like to think he will gave done well, there is no real way of knowing.
In some ways I think ds would prefer that tbh...

I think just getting an e mail is a bit of an anti climax? Especially after the 2 years they've had.

When he picked up his gcse results he really liked being with his friends and seeing his teachers.

We have planned a meal out on the evening of the 10th. Ds keeps saying it'll either be celebration or commiseration! :)

Ds got his (non moderated) grades for his coursework and assessments prior to thee end of term so we have some idea how he did but obviously they could have change after moderation.

It's very unfair how schools/colleges have done things so differently! Ds heard that a school his friend went to gave the students the topics for the assessment prior to the exams!!?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 12:36

...and sorry you're feeling so worried.

I think I've hit a "zen" pocket about it all.

I will not be feeling zen the day before!!! In fact I've booked a massage for the Monday! :)

OP posts:
NotSorry · 01/08/2021 16:45

Ooh yes I’ll join - I was just coming on here to see if there was a support thread. This is the last one for me, DS3 waiting for his grades - he was offered 3 C’s by Birmingham and he shouldn’t have any trouble achieving those, but he aimed much higher

We had several emails from our school saying under no circumstances were parents or students to approach teachers or put any pressure on to reveal results and if they did, it would be “taken further”. We wouldn’t have done that anyway, but then I read in the news a couple of days ago about parents in lots of schools who did just that.

Ours can be collected from the school from 8.30am or have them emailed. DS3 is going in, I will be more nervous than he is

iknowimcoming · 01/08/2021 16:54

I'll join please - my Ds bombed his as levels 2 years ago and re-sat year 12, then sadly watched all his friends go off to uni last year, so stakes are high here. Teachers were cautiously optimistic he'd got the grades he needs (before moderation) to go to Cardiff but I can't help but worry. Good luck all!

Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 17:02

@NotSorry

Ooh yes I’ll join - I was just coming on here to see if there was a support thread. This is the last one for me, DS3 waiting for his grades - he was offered 3 C’s by Birmingham and he shouldn’t have any trouble achieving those, but he aimed much higher

We had several emails from our school saying under no circumstances were parents or students to approach teachers or put any pressure on to reveal results and if they did, it would be “taken further”. We wouldn’t have done that anyway, but then I read in the news a couple of days ago about parents in lots of schools who did just that.

Ours can be collected from the school from 8.30am or have them emailed. DS3 is going in, I will be more nervous than he is

I think some schools have had real problems with certain parents.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 17:03

@iknowimcoming

I'll join please - my Ds bombed his as levels 2 years ago and re-sat year 12, then sadly watched all his friends go off to uni last year, so stakes are high here. Teachers were cautiously optimistic he'd got the grades he needs (before moderation) to go to Cardiff but I can't help but worry. Good luck all!
Good luck!

Ds got a great offer from University of Nottingham - he only applied at the last minute - for his preferred subject so hopefully he's off there 🤞

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 01/08/2021 17:04

If it makes you feel any better many schools have emailed results for a number of years and not simply in covid times

Boulshired · 01/08/2021 17:04

DD on paper should be ok, teachers have been positive except one who has been very quiet. She is hoping that ucas will be updated before she collects results. Needs predicted grades to match firm but she checked previous years grades and it seems a bit flexible. Last one to go through A level, will be glad it’s over.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 17:05

@SeasonFinale

If it makes you feel any better many schools have emailed results for a number of years and not simply in covid times
Yes, I think they have historically for a levels.
OP posts:
Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 17:09

@Boulshired

DD on paper should be ok, teachers have been positive except one who has been very quiet. She is hoping that ucas will be updated before she collects results. Needs predicted grades to match firm but she checked previous years grades and it seems a bit flexible. Last one to go through A level, will be glad it’s over.
My first to go through it all so I'm rather anxious/clueless about it all.

Dh did his degree through work and I had a year off afyer a levels and then never went 🙃

Ds had real issues with one subject - the teacher just went off grid in March 2020 and the only guidance they recieved was "go through the textbook"
🤔
We got him a tutor in the end and are hoping thats was enough to ensure that that one subject doesn't cost him his place.

(Gnashes teeth)

OP posts:
NotSorry · 01/08/2021 17:10

@Boulshired

DD on paper should be ok, teachers have been positive except one who has been very quiet. She is hoping that ucas will be updated before she collects results. Needs predicted grades to match firm but she checked previous years grades and it seems a bit flexible. Last one to go through A level, will be glad it’s over.
That's what happened to both my previous DS's

In DS1's case he had got into his first choice, in DS2's case that he hadn't got either first or insurance.

DS2 went into clearing and is at UEA - I'll be honest I think it did him a favour, he has been very happy there and I'm not sure he would have been as happy in either of his first 2 choices. He's about to go into his final year.

My DS1 collected his results by logging in I think on the day - that was 6 years ago - as PPs said, a bit of an anti-climax. There's nothing like that nervous wait in the car for mum or dad!

I just asked DS3 about it and he said he is happy for me to go with him. It's the last one so I'm glad he said that.

NotSorry · 01/08/2021 17:11

@Mrs08

Don't panic if he doesn't quite get what he needs, we found clearing very easy to navigate and we'd not done it before

All will be well

Boulshired · 01/08/2021 17:18

DS1 went through clearing by choice as he already had doubts about his firm. Strangely it was because they gave him an unconditional offer. He ended up with three good universities to choose from.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 01/08/2021 18:01

[quote NotSorry]@Mrs08

Don't panic if he doesn't quite get what he needs, we found clearing very easy to navigate and we'd not done it before

All will be well[/quote]
Thank you x

OP posts:
NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 02/08/2021 11:14

Bear in mind there might be less flexibility over grades this year, as the conversion from offer to firm acceptance has been very high at in-demand institutions:

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jul/31/a-level-results-top-universities-expected-to-stick-to-rigid-entry-grades

NotSorry · 02/08/2021 12:09

That's an interesting article @NoNotHimTheOtherOne

Original poster
Mrs08 · 02/08/2021 12:31

[quote NoNotHimTheOtherOne]Bear in mind there might be less flexibility over grades this year, as the conversion from offer to firm acceptance has been very high at in-demand institutions:

www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jul/31/a-level-results-top-universities-expected-to-stick-to-rigid-entry-grades[/quote]
It is an interesting article.

However, I do think its specifically referring to oxbridge/RG Universities and certain high application courses (medicine etc...)

I feel for young people applying to oxbridge this year (like ds's friend) who in any other year would have got in.

So many kids deferred last year - in fact some Universities encouraged it by offering free accommodation/lower offers. Exeter University are doing the same this year.

I think next year will be tricky too.

OP posts:
NoNotHimTheOtherOne · 02/08/2021 14:19

However, I do think its specifically referring to oxbridge/RG Universities and certain high application courses (medicine etc...)

It did cite Bath as a particular example, which isn't a member of the Russell Group. I think universities at that kind of level (Bath, Leicester, Lancaster, etc.) will be oversubscribed for some courses.

Blueskythinking123 · 02/08/2021 14:20

Hope you don't mind me joining. My DD needs Distinction, B , C - Manchester

She had a lower offer from Birmingham but chose not to take that, the offer was only available if she made it her firm. We live in Birmingham and after applying decided she definitely wants to go away.

Her insurance is Distinction, C, C York. Hoping she gets her firm or insurance.

She knows she has distinction* in her BTEC. So it's the two A Levels we are waiting to hear about.

LaLaFlottes · 02/08/2021 15:32

Hello - I would like to join in too please Smile

It’s ab anxious wait isn’t it? DD needs AAA for her offer at Sheffield. Fingers firmly crossed. Her insurance is A star AB at Leicester.

If she has an A in her EPQ Sheffield will accept AAB but we don’t know what her EPQ grade is yet!

Original poster
Mrs08 · 02/08/2021 15:39

Hello 👋

Are EPQ grades given out on 10th too?

I think ds and his friends are getting more nervous about their results now...he's seeing a few of them this weekend.

OP posts:
MaddieElla · 02/08/2021 15:48

I'll join too please. Hi @LaLaFlottes 👋

DD has put on the Hoodie of Doom. The same one she wore in the two weeks up to GCSE day, never took off and was covered in all manner of disgusting things but gave her comfort 🤦‍♀️🤣

Her offer is AAA and we are confident on two of them but her physics A Level could be a problem. Her insurance is AAB but a completely different degree. Next Tuesday will be gripping for sure.

Hope UCAS doesn't crash! Good luck everyone. Smile