Thread 36 - Covid Cohort from GCSE 2020 - The Final Countdown to Results Day for Some?

[CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee]

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. It's all relative!
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 continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided for anyone interested they will find a thread within the Further Ed board.
Possibly a move to Parent of Adult Children Board in future? Post Results?

Previous Thread

Thank you @Monkey2001 good to know (not sure whether DD would be able to deploy the same charm offensive but she is pretty determined). I just want her to think about all possible options if she misses her mark for Edinburgh.

It feels really weird in our house, as DD now had 2 out of 3 grades and was predicted an excellent grade for her 3rd she’s suddenly flopped from her usual anxious state to a strangely chill level (has ASD and severe anxiety)

DS on the other hand has to wait till Thursday for all his results (also neuro divergent and anxiety disorder) and his sister’s results have increased his anxiety especially as they are hoping to be at the same Uni/campus/building but different courses

DH and I will just be glad when Thursday is done and dusted

Twins or deferred @Tomnooktoldmeto ?

@Benjispruce4 14 months difference, DD is deferred on an EHCP. DS has been in a standard secondary school but DD was moved to Interhigh when she became too unwell after a failed secondary transition, she was actually deferred at this point

Guardian is still saying that grade stats will be midway between 2019 and 2022, and there is concern about dropping from 45% A/A* to 35% (2019 - 25%). If they drop further there will be an explosion of anger! Of course, for the genuine top students, it teaching and matching is fair, it is better to keep top grades for the best students

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/education/2022/aug/12/tens-of-thousands-of-a-level-pupils-may-miss-out-on-first-choice-university

@Monkey2001 now I’m confused again, they are clearly saying midpoint in numbers, where are they getting this information from? Someone in authority must be spreading this? If this is complete nonsense why is no one at Ofqual or exam boards correcting this?

I have read lots of articles about what I/we are supposed to be doing on Thursday morning but I'm still confused. DS refuses to consider other universities than his first choice.

Pretty much the same position here

@ChristopherTracy @sofakingcool Thursday morning around 8am maybe earlier UCAS will update with responses to the firm and insurance choices. Kids often get this info before their grades.

schools or colleges will send grades by email from 8 or open a portal on their websites or expect the kids to go in and get them. Getting results early is important if there is a possibility your child won’t get either choice.

If looking iffy then look at other options before the day - and have numbers for possible unis to hand - many unis have opportunities to visit if offered through clearing.

Each subject they took will provide a breakdown of their marks per paper, a total raw score and a grade. You can ask for a remark - grades can go up or down though so important to understand how close they are to the next grade either way.

it is recommended that all kids add accessibility for a parent to the ucas site so if there are issues a parent can support and speak for child - ask away if you have questions - be there for your kids

DD doesn't want to go anywhere but her firm apparently, now , all of a sudden.

Just been told her last shift is next week at her temp job. Luckily she has picked up the football club / bar work at £10 per hour first shift next Tues. Let's hope she gets on with that.

I wrote her a little card out today, just saying how proud we are of her and we know she has worked hard. Wrapped up her little charm.I bought her etc Just got to wait until Thurs now.

@Volterra I hope the rest of the year is kind to you in your new home 🏡

Anyone who put RHU as a choice look to see if your DC has been sent a postcard. They sent Dd a nice one saying they'd be happy to consider her still...I only noticed today (as it was about to be recycled) that it had a priority clearing telephone number on it.

Might be handy!

This is probably unlikely, but in the event that DS does better than expected, is it possible to go into clearing for that reason? To go to a better Uni? I think they used to call it adjustment?

Thank you all very much 😊Had a lovely day with my Stepmum who I hadn’t been able to see since April and now will be able to see regularly.

@sofakingcool I think his firm offer would have to release him so he could go into clearing. When you are doing clearing you get a little bit of time to decide if you would like to accept so I guess you could ring around and see what is offered then ring firm offer to ask to be released and hope they will and then officially enter clearing and accept the other offer. Others will know better than me and apologies if I am wrong.

@CinnamonOrangeCremeBrulee my DD has been given the priority clearing number for RHU too

Now I’m panicking!
DD has RHU as her insurance, but hasn’t heard a word from either them or her first choice, Birmingham. A (not) tiny part of me is worried that she didn’t actually firm her choices correctly…

Can you get her to login and show you ?

Dd didn't have RHU as insurance, so it might be targeting those who had put them as a choice but not insured? They were great in that scenario with DN last year. I'm sure you know how regarded it is for Musicology type degrees , the only downside could be Egham itself but then again close enough to enjoy London with a semi campus type experience. It might be a good choice for her as a plan C .

My DS1 got two offers and three rejections then in late April Royal Holloway phoned him at sixth form having declined him and offered him an interview?! He was sensible and said not until 6pm and got himself home first so he could have time to get ready for the video call. They then offered a crazy high offer so he chose two others for firm and insurance. 2 weeks before he gets a letter snd 4 emails offering a place on any of their geology courses - he declined it was surreal

@Monkey2001 That Guardian article popped up on DS's google notifications. He read the headline out with a long face and decided not to read the article. But that sounds a bit more in line with original expectations. I hope they have reliable sources!

Snap @EwwSprouts DD said I don’t need that negativity

@Fruitygal They are peas in pod!

@EwwSprouts lol

@sofakingcool I haven't done it myself, but my understanding is that Clearing is now also used for Adjustment (trading up). You can phone round the universities you like, if you get a verbal/email confirmation of an offer for a course they want, you can self release into Clearing, no longer need to be "released", and apply for the course through Clearing. You won't be able to enter anything on UCAS until the afternoon, think it may be 3pm.

@Monkey2001 I think adjustment has been canned this year.

www.theuniguide.co.uk/advice/ucas-application/ucas-adjustment-explained

It has been incorporated into Clearing, but can still be done