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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:
FatOaf · 07/08/2021 05:11

Nicholas cage was only 23 when it was filmed!

And Cher was only 100.

Bryonyshcmyony · 07/08/2021 07:11

So almost half of our dcs should get As and A* according to the reports!

cptartapp · 07/08/2021 07:27

Mrs I get you. DS did better than predicted in over half of his GCSE's, by up to two grades in some subjects. I fear teacher assessment will do him no favours at all, considering they were all told as far as Christmas that exams would still be going ahead.
The talk of grade inflation isn't helpful. In many cases, the standard of work produced at the end of the two years is on the back of most of the A level courses being taught remotely. Certainly for DS, who never did a full week in college again after March 2020. High grades will be very hard earned this year, not the opposite.

Longtimenewsee · 07/08/2021 08:21

Gosh I’m really surprised how nervous I feel for Dd.
She’s going to be so upset if she fails to get in to her first choice ( she loves it so much) . I have tried to warn her about getting too invested in her firm but it’s hard for them isn’t it? She’s an eggs in one basket type. She also went to visit the city recently (with a uni tour included) and hit it on the most beautiful sunny day with everything all shiny and pretty. That didn’t help! Grin

If the sh*t hits the fan, then I’m (selfishly) kinda also dreading the complex parenting I’ll have to do to get her through the days following the results. She’ll need support to make some decent decisions that she won’t regret later on.

Not long now everyone! Confused

Bryonyshcmyony · 07/08/2021 08:24

I hate complex parenting! Love that phrase! I'm really bad at it as well Blush

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 07/08/2021 08:44

I hate this grade inflation bullshit

The media has been complaining about children being ‘given’ good grades for decades

But it feels like its ramped up over the last 5 years or so (possibly cos they are having a pop at my children now….didnt really care when it was me)

It was really bad last year when even normal people were wittering on about children literally being given their results….and the idea that they were lucky cos they didn’t have to take an exam . I am very happy for people to say that their children were lucky, you know your children best. But you can do one if you include my children 😀

Its just been a shambles

NellietheNumpty · 07/08/2021 08:50

I am fretting for my lovely foster child. They took A levels whilst homeless, scared and with complex PTSD. I am so proud but can't imagine how they will handle a set back or starting in, who know nothing about this.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 08:55

"Complex parenting"
Very apt descriptor!
Ds is the least tech savvy kid I know (I'm working on it..) So asked me to help him with his ucas application (the fool!! Mwhaha)
I have a VERY good memory for passwords etc 😃
I'm not proud of my neferaiousness you understand, but I'm definitely going to it 😉

OP posts:
RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 07/08/2021 08:59

nellie

Fingers crossed for you

💐🧁

Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 08:59

@RufustheBadgeringReindeer

I hate this grade inflation bullshit

The media has been complaining about children being ‘given’ good grades for decades

But it feels like its ramped up over the last 5 years or so (possibly cos they are having a pop at my children now….didnt really care when it was me)

It was really bad last year when even normal people were wittering on about children literally being given their results….and the idea that they were lucky cos they didn’t have to take an exam . I am very happy for people to say that their children were lucky, you know your children best. But you can do one if you include my children 😀

Its just been a shambles

It's the same every year but they've ramped it up this year due to the shambolic actions for the DfE and Ofqual.

It's amazing really. 10 months of "consultations" and the DfE just say to schools "nah, you deal with it"

Disgraceful.

Get ready for the right wing media to go after state schools btw...just like the algorithm targeted state schools last year...

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 08:59

@NellietheNumpty

I am fretting for my lovely foster child. They took A levels whilst homeless, scared and with complex PTSD. I am so proud but can't imagine how they will handle a set back or starting in, who know nothing about this.
Good luck xx
OP posts:
iknowimcoming · 07/08/2021 09:09

I posted previously about my Ds failing all of his as levels 2 years ago, he was on a school trip at the time so I had to go and collect them, try not to sob in front of the staff and other students, and come up with a plan with the school for how he could continue. Then spent a week worrying and when Ds got home, had to break the news to him (he genuinely thought he'd done well Sad) that he'd failed and now had to choose a different path. Complex parenting indeed!

So, I'm going with him to school, inside and everything (he's fine with this btw I have asked!) as part of my trauma therapy! And as long as he's not failed (school intel suggests not) I'll be shaking the teachers hands, weeping and doing a conga!

I know that makes it sound like it's all about me but it's honestly not. He took such a massive hit to his self-confidence, got held back a year and separated from his friends who he then watched go to uni last year whilst he stayed at school. The school were pretty brutal with him about his future prospects too - so for him to have proved them wrong, will be such an achievement for him. I'm not talking about 3 x A*s or anything here, but for him passing his one a level and Btec will be a success. Tuesday was briefly mentioned at the dinner table last night and Ds said "jeez mum, you are far more worried about this than I am!" I said 'yes, I bloody know!'

Bryonyshcmyony · 07/08/2021 09:12

@iknowimcoming

I posted previously about my Ds failing all of his as levels 2 years ago, he was on a school trip at the time so I had to go and collect them, try not to sob in front of the staff and other students, and come up with a plan with the school for how he could continue. Then spent a week worrying and when Ds got home, had to break the news to him (he genuinely thought he'd done well Sad) that he'd failed and now had to choose a different path. Complex parenting indeed!

So, I'm going with him to school, inside and everything (he's fine with this btw I have asked!) as part of my trauma therapy! And as long as he's not failed (school intel suggests not) I'll be shaking the teachers hands, weeping and doing a conga!

I know that makes it sound like it's all about me but it's honestly not. He took such a massive hit to his self-confidence, got held back a year and separated from his friends who he then watched go to uni last year whilst he stayed at school. The school were pretty brutal with him about his future prospects too - so for him to have proved them wrong, will be such an achievement for him. I'm not talking about 3 x A*s or anything here, but for him passing his one a level and Btec will be a success. Tuesday was briefly mentioned at the dinner table last night and Ds said "jeez mum, you are far more worried about this than I am!" I said 'yes, I bloody know!'

Good luck. One of my dcs repeated a year and also did a BTEC. She went to uni and has just graduated with a good 2.1 and is doing a masters.
TheSmallAssassin · 07/08/2021 09:19

The complex parenting is one of the things that's making me anxious.

I know that whatever happens, it'll probably be OK in the end. I dropped out of my first degree after a year and a term and went back a few years later to do a different subject. My husband didn't have an easy ride either, but we've done OK. So, I think none of the alternatives are a disaster.

The thing that I am worrying about most is accommodation, if my son gets his firm, then it's guaranteed, if not then it's going to be a scramble. My MiL's tales of BiL's first awful lodgings aren't helping!

I'm also worrying about navigating my son through clearing without doing it for him. Hoping when push comes to shove he will get his arse into gear, but I am doubtful!

Longtimenewsee · 07/08/2021 09:43

@iknowimcoming. Bless you.. that was a tough gig. I am so glad that things picked up for him and that it’s looking good for him this year. Fingers crossed x

@NellietheNumpty.. wow ! -I can see why you are proud. Good luck to her!

@Mrs08.. lol I like your style..Grin . There is no way Dd was letting me near her password.. I’ll have to wait until she wants to look.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 10:02

I am (virtually) squishing all of your hands in solidarity xxxx

OP posts:
NotSorry · 07/08/2021 10:54

@FatOaf

Nicholas cage was only 23 when it was filmed!

And Cher was only 100.

Grin Grin Grin Grin
NotSorry · 07/08/2021 10:55

@SureBorisKnowsWhatHesDoingNOT

I asked my DS3 and he said I could take him (he could drive himself) I won’t go in the building just have an anxious wait in the car park

Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 11:55

Will only be going into college if things go very badly...

OP posts:
storminasnowglobe · 07/08/2021 12:21

Everything been put harshly in perspective here. DD rushed to hospital last week with what turned out to be a large pulmonary embolism.
She came home last night but is still really poorly. They are so quick to boot people out these days, she really wasn't ready to come home as she can barely walk to the bathroom and is in terrible pain and so short of breath.
I've contacted school to say she won't be in to collect her results now so I think they are going to email them instead but not entirely sure Confused. I think Uni looking unlikely for September now.

Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 12:29

@storminasnowglobe

Everything been put harshly in perspective here. DD rushed to hospital last week with what turned out to be a large pulmonary embolism. She came home last night but is still really poorly. They are so quick to boot people out these days, she really wasn't ready to come home as she can barely walk to the bathroom and is in terrible pain and so short of breath. I've contacted school to say she won't be in to collect her results now so I think they are going to email them instead but not entirely sure Confused. I think Uni looking unlikely for September now.
Oh I'm SO sorry x Perspective indeed. My mum has been in hospital all week very ill with nephritis and was sent home yesterday but sadly Friday seems to be chucking chucking out day in the NHS 😡 Wishing her a speedy recovery x
OP posts:
storminasnowglobe · 07/08/2021 12:33

@Mrs08 thank you and wishing your mum a speedy recovery too Thanks

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 07/08/2021 12:37

@storminasnowglobe

Everything been put harshly in perspective here. DD rushed to hospital last week with what turned out to be a large pulmonary embolism. She came home last night but is still really poorly. They are so quick to boot people out these days, she really wasn't ready to come home as she can barely walk to the bathroom and is in terrible pain and so short of breath. I've contacted school to say she won't be in to collect her results now so I think they are going to email them instead but not entirely sure Confused. I think Uni looking unlikely for September now.
Oh good lord!

So sorry, must have been very frightening

Hope she recovers as soon as possible

Original poster
Mrs08 · 07/08/2021 12:47

It can take a while to recover from a PE and hospitals are the least restful places ever...
She is young and once she starts eating nutritious foods (don't get me started on hospital food...) and rests you may be surprised how quickly she improves xx

OP posts:
NotSorry · 07/08/2021 13:39

Best wishes to your mum @Mrs08 and your DD @storminasnowglobe

I hope they get well soon

@storminasnowglobe still got about 6 weeks before she has to go, fingers crossed she can still make it

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