Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Further education

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

Original poster

Thread 24 Covid Cohort - Oh Come, Oh Come offers from Emmanuel - and all other universities aswell!

999 replies

OrangeCinnamonCocktail · 26/11/2021 16:12

I tried to sing the title... It kind of works...

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 posts 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 goodwill continues.

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
Alsoplayspiccolo · 08/12/2021 12:41

DD had her first appointment with adult MH on Monday (for her ADHD).
DH went in with her and she was asked about uni plans, A levels etc.
She said she felt very anxious, because of not having taken GCSE exams, and when the consultant asked what her results were like, she answered that they were good but she didn’t feel they were really “her” results. Sad

Zebracat · 08/12/2021 13:35

That sounds quite positive @Alsoplayspiccolo,asking age appropriate questions and having her Dad with her. I do think the predictions have an air of unreality for all of them and maybe rightly so because my understanding is that there will always be a significant number who over or underperform, and this lot haven’t got any actual results. I hope they are able to help.
Mine is feeling really hurt today because her friends dont think it’s fair that she will get contextual offers “just “ because she’s been in care. They really have no idea, just see that she is loved and supported now, didn’t know her when she was out of school and starving. It does motivate her, but it’s not fair that she feels that she has to now get 3 A*s just to prove she deserves a place at Uni, and that if she did her reward would no doubt be the same friends saying that proves contextual offers aren’t necessary. It’s not that I don’t see their point, lots of her friends have parents who didn’t go to university, and dont know how to support their children’s application, lots of them may well also be entitled to contextual offers, but dont know that yet. Could be interesting.

Heifer · 08/12/2021 13:41

DD got her first offer after only submitted yesterday! It's for her back up pick at Sheffield Hallam, Biology - usual offer is 112 Ucas pts offer is 96! so CCC (or even BCD as only want 24 pts for Biology A level. She is predicted 152 (plus core maths) so it won't be her first choice but if none of her preferred give a lower offer I'm guessing it will be her backup. Just glad to have an offer in the bag tbh.

ealingwestmum · 08/12/2021 13:49

It makes such a difference to them doesn’t it Heifer, well done to her.

Fruitygal · 08/12/2021 13:52

@Heifer amazing news!! So good to get the first one in the bag

crazycrofter · 08/12/2021 14:16

Yay @heifer that’s great! Dd has had her second offer -Southampton ABB. Usual offer is AAB but hers is contextual. Unlike @Zebracat dd, my dd definitely doesn’t need or deserve a contextual offer given we both went to uni, she’s at a grammar now and went to an independent (on a bursary) for years 7-11. But it’s based on where we live and you can’t exactly opt out. But it will be a nice insurance if she decides she prefers a higher offer, or maybe even a comfortable first choice. I think she’s more chuffed today about the Reading line up as Arctic Monkeys are her favourite band!

@zebracat your dd definitely needs and deserves contextual offers, I’m so sorry her friends are being insensitive. They’re probably just insecure and anxious but they need to broaden their minds a bit. Dd has a friend at her previous school (also on a bursary) who’s had a privileged education but is estranged from her parents, has been in care since year 8 and is now living independently as she just turned 18. Dd knows the mental health struggles she’s Ben through and would fully support her getting lower offers.

crazycrofter · 08/12/2021 14:17

*been through

BlueMarigold · 08/12/2021 14:26

DD just messaged me and she got one too! Lincoln (BBB) for the MBio course which is one grade lower than on their website.

Original poster
OrangeCinnamonCocktail · 08/12/2021 14:29

@Zebracat

That sounds quite positive *@Alsoplayspiccolo*,asking age appropriate questions and having her Dad with her. I do think the predictions have an air of unreality for all of them and maybe rightly so because my understanding is that there will always be a significant number who over or underperform, and this lot haven’t got any actual results. I hope they are able to help. Mine is feeling really hurt today because her friends dont think it’s fair that she will get contextual offers “just “ because she’s been in care. They really have no idea, just see that she is loved and supported now, didn’t know her when she was out of school and starving. It does motivate her, but it’s not fair that she feels that she has to now get 3 A*s just to prove she deserves a place at Uni, and that if she did her reward would no doubt be the same friends saying that proves contextual offers aren’t necessary. It’s not that I don’t see their point, lots of her friends have parents who didn’t go to university, and dont know how to support their children’s application, lots of them may well also be entitled to contextual offers, but dont know that yet. Could be interesting.
That sounds really upsetting @zebracat! This is what I'm worried about, our children growing up with no sense of what goes on outside their own little bubbles of world. IMO covid has made them so much more selfinterested.
OP posts:
crazycrofter · 08/12/2021 14:35

Brilliant @BlueMarigold! It’s lovely when the offers start coming in!

ealingwestmum · 08/12/2021 14:57

Excellent BlueMarigold!

Seeline · 08/12/2021 15:14

@Alsoplayspiccolo

DD had her first appointment with adult MH on Monday (for her ADHD). DH went in with her and she was asked about uni plans, A levels etc. She said she felt very anxious, because of not having taken GCSE exams, and when the consultant asked what her results were like, she answered that they were good but she didn’t feel they were really “her” results. Sad
My DD also frequently says her GSCE results aren't real ones. She had excellent results, and judging from her SATs and predictions all the way through secondary, she would have achieved them, or very close to, and I keep trying to point this out to her, but she won't have it. It's sad that they can't be proud of what they had achieved throughout their school life, regardless of the end point.

Fabulous to hear of more offers!!

Monkey2001 · 08/12/2021 15:38

Lots of lovely offers!

Contextual offers are so odd, DS's girlfriend is contextual due to postcode although both parents are graduates and mum is a teacher, he could be contextual at Newcastle because I am mixed race. Being in care is a much more solid reason than most for needing a lower offer. One of the widening participation organisations should commission an app so that people can answer questions to find out where they are eligible for WP.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 08/12/2021 15:52

Yes, it was a surprisingly positive appointment, zebra, which is a huge relief, after we were warned that adult MH services are dire.
DD really liked the person she saw and felt he was actually interested in her, which is always refreshing.

I’m sorry your DD’s friends can’t see why she absolutely deserves her contextual status, and that they can’t keep their thoughts to themselves.
She’s done so amazingly well to get to the point of applying for uni and deserves every bit of equity she can be given.

Fab news about all the rapid offers coming in!

Alsoplayspiccolo · 08/12/2021 15:56

Seeline, it’s sad, isn’t it?
DD’s gcse grades were very fair and reflected the hard work she (and I) put in. She cried when they announced that the exams were cancelled, because she really wanted the chance to prove her ability and show her teachers their efforts had been worthwhile.
Her self-confidence around academics has never been strong, because of her SEN, and she’s really stressed that she doesn’t know how she’ll perform in actual A level exams.

EwwSprouts · 08/12/2021 16:00

Congratulations on the offers @heifer @crazycrofter @BlueMarigold.

@Zebracat I hope the friends show more empathy as they grow out of their teens. I have everything crossed your DD gets the offer she wants and goes on to excel.

crazycrofter · 08/12/2021 16:26

Hopefully even if exams are cancelled, there will still be some exams, if you know what I mean. The problem with our lot is they were given their grades and they weren't really connected to any exams they'd done. Dd's final grades were higher than her November mock grades - which I think is right, as you'd expect some improvement (and also the grade boundaries were harsh!). But of course, they don't know whether they'd have definitely made that improvement. Whereas this time, hopefully it will be like last year where they did do internal exams/assessments so they did feel like they'd earned their grades.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 08/12/2021 18:05

I’ve just made DD send an email to her tutor, virtually begging to please sign off her PS so that the form can go off this week, in the hope of an offer before mocks to keep her motivated.

Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻

crazycrofter · 08/12/2021 18:19

Fingers crossed @Alsoplayspiccolo! How long have they had it? I tend to feel a bit negative about DD’s school compared to ds’ but to be fair to them, they sent it off immediately she submitted it as school references and predicted grades were done ages ago.

20newnames · 08/12/2021 18:34

Great news on the offers @Heifer and @BlueMarigold

icanbewhatiwant · 08/12/2021 19:04

Ds didn't get home from school till gone 5pm as there was the ucas meeting. He said only 2 pupils attended. I know a lot have sent their forms off already though. Ds said the deputy head of 6th form approved his PS at the meeting. He's actually the PE teacher, I'm sure he knows his stuff...but Ds won't show it to me, so I hope it's ok. Ds needs to pick his 5 choices this eve and submit it back to school. Ds has chosen 4 he won't let me get involved with a 5th. But hopefully it'll be sent off soon.

Monkey2001 · 08/12/2021 19:09

Any idea what the "work from home if you can" guidance means for schools?!

ChristopherTracy · 08/12/2021 19:17

Rather surprisingly DS got another offer in today: ABB for Nottingham! Actually very surprised by that. DS very pleased.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 08/12/2021 19:24

Her form is all complete, except for her PS, which needs to be signed off by her tutor, crazy (we've even seen her references, which are fab!). She's asked if it's "good enough" as it is, because it keeps being sent back for minute tweaking - where do you stop?

Delphigirl · 08/12/2021 19:31

Hurrah to everyone for their offers! @Heifer we are joining your club - DS got his first offer an hour or so ago and he is SO thrilled. Cardiff, BBB or BBC if firm. I’m so happy for him, he thinks it is his joint first choice at the moment so is really delighted.
School has still not sent of the transcript to Canada so nothing to report on his Nova Scotia wildcard.

Just seen the news that we are in Plan B inc work from home etc - sigh. I have about six weeks ago just made arrangements for masses of work to come off Teams and back into loads of workplaces and will now have to unwind that. I suspected that might happen but it will make for a busy run up to Christmas.
I don’t know what will happen about exams - my key source is keeping schtum. I suspect they are planning for exams not to happen, per my last info, because if they did them the gap between the privately educated /grammar and middle class leafy comps’ results on the one hand and the rest on the other would be so at odds with the “levelling up” message there would be outrage. But that reasoning is speculation on my part.