Thread 21 Corona Cohort - Nervous waiting, so frustrating

[Monkey2001]

Continuation of OrangeCinnamonCocktail's threads

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to threads about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

Previous thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/a4354626-Corona-Cohort-Statements-Scripted-Grades-Predicted?msgid=111487286#111487286

@Wheresthebeach can she apply for the ones she wants to go to now and then reapply next year for the gap year ones?

@MidLifeCrisis007 fab story, the port thing explains why we could get a test booked at Lowestoft then. It is drivable, but over an hour away. We did use the app. It worked well for us, but I put it on auto book for my selected dates. I think if you don't auto book the tests will be gone by the time you click on the link.

Can’t remember if this has been discussed but which unis are better at dealing with MH issues? I am particularly interested in Birmingham, Nottingham, Lancaster, Royal Holloway and Lincoln

@BlueMarigold - It more about me wanting to hedge her bets as it were. She seems very committed to the gap year now, I'm just fussing that it will mean higher grades needed, or less flexibility if she has a bit of a mare with Chemistry and the grade isn't what's predicted.

@Wheresthebeach I know our schools helps with UCAS applications after child has left school. So even after taking a gap year you can go back and get help. The advantage would be there’s no uncertainty, you’d have the actual grades and time for a Chemistry resit if needed.

@BlueMarigold - That's a good idea. Thank you.

@whoamitojudge that is great news. How many stages are there for the whole process?

@Wheresthebeach there have been people asking that question on WIWIKAU and so much different advice! I still think it is best to apply for 2022 and defer if you want to in the summer, maybe you should post on WWIKAU and ask whether anyone has had a deferral request turned down after getting an offer for a course/university which generally makes deferred offers.

@singingstones interesting. DS1 also linked an article on BBC about Newbury Showground not doing tests properly. I got an email this morning telling me I will be sent an antibody test. A friend in Reading said they are seeing the negative PCR/positive LFT thing too. I thought they had sorted the testing system now! Test and Trace was annoying, I could not put the actual start date of my symptoms because of the late PCR positive.

DS off school with a sore throat. LFT negative last night, will fling another at him from a suitable distance now.....

@BlueMarigold

Can’t remember if this has been discussed but which unis are better at dealing with MH issues? I am particularly interested in Birmingham, Nottingham, Lancaster, Royal Holloway and Lincoln

Not strictly mh issues but Birmingham has been good and responsive re DS’s diagnosis of ADHD. Put a package of support in place within a week or so of being informed, and what’s more have implemented it. I will ask my DS if he knows about MH support more generally if you like

Thanks @Monkey2001I'll take a look. Head of Sixth is very clear she applies asking for deferral. But I don't rate him so it's tricky.

@whoamitojudge great news!! Big congrats to your Dd and keep us updated on how things go at the next stage. She must be thrilled!
I’d be interested on any unis that are especially good on MH/SEN support too: not sure I trust what is said on websites although good to hear your Ds’ positive experience @Delphigirl.

Delphigirl, DD is considering Birmingham as her top choice and has ADHD, so that's really good to hear. Do you mind saying what sort of support your DS is getting?

Wheresthebeach, someone has asked the same on WIWIKAU, and the general consensus seems to be to apply this year, get the places and then ask for a deferral.

Great news on EPQ and airline interviews!

Well after the Birmingham email last night re lack of predicted grades, emailed school last night so they could provide them as requested by Birmingham and explained we were concerned that they had been missed off DS UCAS application. Looking online at UCAS site, it seems if school return your form as something is missing (DS had missed off his part time job employer) the predicted grades are removed so student doesn’t see them. When student resubmits form, school have to re-enter predicted grades. School says predicted grades were on there but have apologised for the stress and have emailed all 5 uni choices apologising and providing predicted grades, copying us in, so something obviously went horribly wrong. Very stressed in our household today!

Thank you @Delphigirl! Do you mind if I send you a PM as it’s specifically ADHD I am worried about.

Birmingham is her top choice so it’s good to know they will be supportive.

Yes of course PM away! I don’t know full details as he has done it himself, but he says that he has been given a reasonable adjustment plan which deals with things like eg entitlement to extensions if he has clashing essays, and he has sought extensions and they have been given without issue; he also has a named support officer who he can message any time if he has issues. As I say he was diagnosed early in his first year and the moment he asked for help they put this all in place, so I was impressed.

Re wider mental health he doesn’t really know anyone who has accessed it so far as he is aware and only says “they have well-being programs and stuff” which may or may not be of assistance in your decision making processes

@BlueMarigold @Isthisjustnormal DS applied to Birmingham and got an offer last week. DS also has SEN including ADHD. He has received a disability form from Brum to complete. The form includes various questions about his disabilities and how it affects him e.g reading, writing, concentrating, information processing, planning & organising etc etc. I don't know whether this is a standard form all universities send out but I was impressed with the detail and how it's supposed to go towards planning ahead of him coming and putting into place any appropriate measures that will ensure he can access his education there as well every other services when/if he comes there.

This is the experience we've had so far, ultimately whether they put their money where their mouth is remains unknown, but definitely a good start. I know nothing about the other universities you mentioned sorry.

DS1 has a schoolfriend who dropped out of Keele after a few weeks and then the next year went to Lincoln blue where he has remained and his mum says he is happy and settled. I don't know if he has accessed specific support but he has MH issues and Crohns. his mum is very happy with Lincoln. It's small, has nice accommodation, the town is great. It is definitely a place that has suited my DS1 - socially anyway!- who would have been overwhelmed by a large uni in a big city.

crazycrofter that is a bit worrying re history coursework - assume you mean the NEA. DD hasn't even started hers as her teacher said he'd start them after half term. She doesn't even know the topics so can't make a head start herself. I'm getting twitchy now. So glad she's not doing an EPQ now as her school seem a bit manana about the whole thing.

Thanks @Piggywaspushed and @Shimy. That’s very reassuring to know

Shimy, I can't remember - was the offer at the advertised grades, or less?

At the advertised grades, AAB but a lower offer IF they do an EPQ at Grade A AND firm.

@AnneOfCleavage they get taught the topic at dd’s school and then they have a choice of questions. Dd couldn’t even remember which question she’d chosen! I think they began the topic before the summer - Reformation in England.

Good to hear positive things about Birmingham and ADHD. We’ll need to consider this in a couple of years with ds. We still have no idea why dd had extra time. I want to ask but dd has no idea who I should contact and she’s been on work experience this week.

Phew. Passed

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I really hope those waiting for tests/re-test dates manage to get somewhere soon.