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

Thanks @Oblomov22 ! Is one Bamboo/ natural fibres by any chance. Have heard Halls can be hot !

It feels to me that logically more people will make their offers than usual because fewer offers were made for the most competitive courses in the expectation that grades would be higher. I know most about Medicine, and normally at least 40% miss the grades, this year I would be really surprised if more than 20% missed the grades, so a higher success rate that usual.

There are fewer places available because of deferred offers from 2021 results, but that has already been reflected in the offers, the reduction in offers was pretty brutal this year.

I think there will be more than 75% getting into their Firm this year and that the OFQUAL letter drafters misjudged their tone accidentally! They are right to point out that only 20% achieve predicted grades in a normal year. At our school there are 2 sets of predictions; UCAS "best case" and "realistic" which are made clear to students.

DS1 was predicted 3xA* because he got A ⭐ at least 50% of the time for all subjects. Actually 2 x A ⭐ plus A would have more accurately reflected what they expected him to get, they just could not guess which might be the one to slip. UCAS predictions vary, but schools are you to make them best case predictions, so lots should expect to not quite get them. As @Fruitygalsaid, most will still get their Firm.

Uh oh, sounds like things could get ugly - that letter is definitely trying to prepare people for a difficult day on Thursday. I was feeling quite optimistic about everything until I read it. All I see is YOU HAVE PROBABLY NOT GOT IN, DO AN APPRENTICESHIP INSTEAD AND BTW NOT OUR FAULT

Thanks for the info re remarks - I guess some subjects are more worth a remark than others, anyone had success with maths, physics, biology? I will still suggest it if he's close to a higher grade though, I guess in that case there is not much to lose.

Thanks for the clearing info @Fruitygal - it's a bit confusing when some unis won't say what they have in clearing yet but you can see that info on UCAS, and some unis will say what courses they have, but then UCAS has those courses with different grades 🤯

How ridiculous do you think he should be regarding taking a punt on a course asking for higher grades? If it's on the uni website in clearing at ABB for example, what are the lowest grades you would phone them up with? Don't want to waste time and sap confidence by being unrealistic but equally don't want to miss out on a bargain either.

@Fruitygal your level of involvement is scaring me! I have the phone number of DD’s firm and that’s it. 😫

According to DD1 who just graduate from Durham, they ‘don’t do clearing!’ 🤷🏼‍♀️

@singingstones I actually have 2 waiting for results, DS also 120 points studying History also at Nottingham Trent hopefully

@singingstones mine needs EE to go to RNCM BMus performance

Thanks Tomnook, hopefully next update will confirm they are both in 🤞

I don't know why universities dont just all advertise whatever their Clearing entry requirements are on results day, at least applicants will know where to ring and where not to. It's something that has to be done in such a short space of time and I always worry about telephone lines being jammed. I don't want DS wasting his time ringing a university that wants grades higher than he's got.

QUESTION: If you apply for a different course in Clearing e.g DS applied for Management but then in Clearing decides to opt for Politics (same A'Levels) will he need to submit a new personal statement?

I’ve been trying to get dd to consider plan B. Yesterday she said ‘I’ll just have a gap year if I don’t get in to Nottingham’ and tried to change the subject. I reminded her that the student loan rules change for next year, plus she was adamant earlier in the year that she didn’t want a gap year working as she’d be lonely. Leicester is in clearing and she liked it when we visited (but didn’t apply as it’s not RG 😩). She said ‘oh yes, I don’t want to be lonely. And I really want to choose my own church instead of going to yours. OK, I’ll go to Leicester!’ And promptly changed the subject!

The lack of serious thought/properly weighing things up bothers me! But she was the same about Nottingham, it was all about gut feeling/knowing other people potentially going there/nightlife etc.. Oh well, I’m sure she’ll be fine wherever she goes.

I’m ignoring the news now!

@crazycrofter DD is a bit like that and I do t blame them at all. Contingency planning is not a priority for a young brain. The rules around loans changing next year is an added pressure too. I think of DD doesn’t go this year, she never will.

@Fruitygal thanks for those links, just looked up stats for both DC prospective courses to try and give DS reassurance, he’s not sleeping in the heat so was up doing by 7 this morning. DD seems quite chill with her first 2 results in the bag

Wow...that is the most weaselly mouthed response ever. AQA haven't explained how they are dealing with the leak, nor explained why they took no action when they knew about the leak 2 weeks before the exam. Why does nobody take responsibility anymore? Its infuriating.

DD results day plans are pretty limited due to crutches etc - the local Nando's for the free chicken with her best friend.

@crazycrofter DS is the same, makes random decisions on a whim and then when I ask a question says, fine I'll do whatever you say. I am really looking forward to discussing clearing options with him on Wednesday 😬

He is not good at mulling over things and making informed decisions after careful thought - gets fed up reading a whole menu and just picks the first thing he sees so that it can be over 😂

@Shimy No, he won't have a write a new statement :)

@singingstones haha that made me laugh. I’m a bit like that with menus. DH drives me bonkers reading and thinking about what to choose. I just instantly know what I like and don’t and want to order so we can talk.😁

Actually I’m a bit like that in the kitchen. I cook most days, most people say I’m a good cook but o like quick, tasty and easy. DH will faff about. The girls both grown when they see he is cooking and say things like ‘Oh no it’s 5 hour spag bol!’ 😂

Groan!!!

Sorry derail there!

Just had a chat with DD about Thursday. She’s working today and tomorrow so says on Wednesday she’s going to ‘sort her life out’ so I thought she meant get organised for Thursday and she did but she meant, tidy her bomb site room and get the garden ready for pre drinks on Thursday night.😏
She’s asked to go for brunch on Thursday (she’s cunningly remembered that we went for lunch with DD1 on results day- they don’t miss a trick) and I’m hoping that all goes fantastically well and we get to celebrate 🙏🏻 🤔😱

Thanks @tryingmybest13 . That's a relief!

"5hr spag bol" 😂

It is actually raining here, quite the novelty. I am painting my study, I used to share it with DS who had his Xbox in here but we have kicked him out and DD will have her desk in here from now on. Not sure how that will go but I am sugar soaping merrily to take my mind off Thursday.

@Benjispruce4 she’s got the same priorities as my dd! I asked what she was doing Thursday, meaning was she going into school or waiting for the email, and she said ‘definitely going to Rosie’s (a club), not sure about pre’s’ 😂 She also expects a lunch out with us though 😂 I said it might depend on whether we’re still on the phone to unis!

Speaking of impulsive decisions DH and I bought a car online in about 10 minutes yesterday and it's coming on Friday, so that's something else to look forward to 🚗

@singingstones that's impressive!! Is it from cinch?