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Further education

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

Original poster

GCSE results - anxious about what to do next.

56 replies

Moschops1 · 21/08/2025 18:22

Feeling a bit lost now as not sure what to do. I can't be the only one in this position though I feel I am, as everyone I know has a place for their DC.

DD got her GCSE results today with a 9 and 8 in her top two A Level choices. But the others were a mixed bag, with her missing out on some scores by just 1 or 2 marks.

Long story short, for the schools she applied to (and had conditional acceptances) because she didn't get the required grade average, she has missed out on a place. We are still awaiting one but if that one comes back with a no, I don't know what to do.

It is just so disheartening because she did SO well in the subjects that she is brilliant in, but it means nothing now and we almost can't celebrate her achievement in that. Schools spout off about 'looking at the individual child and focussing on their talents'. It's not true - obviously if you don't achieve across the board, it means nothing.

I am now trying to look for alternatives but can anyone offer advice about how I go about this, because everywhere I look, it seems to focus on enrolment for NEXT year. I live in London if anyone is in the same boat and can offer any advice.

Thanks.

OP posts:
OhCrumbsWhereNow · 25/08/2025 12:36

sashh · 25/08/2025 09:55

I've just clicked the link you put. The first thing it says is "This intensive 1-year Level 3 course gives you the chance to explore your creative practice in different art and design disciplines. It will support your progression onto undergraduate studies."

Look, the exact same qualification taught at an FE college

https://www.wolvcoll.ac.uk/courses/ual-level-3-diploma-and-extended-diploma-in-creative-practice-art-design-and-communication-2/

Entry requirements

  • Have five or more GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above
  • Attend an interview at the college
  • Present a portfolio of recent art and design work which demonstrates your interest, enthusiasm and commitment to undertaking this level of course

Sigh, if you really want to insist it's the same, please be my guest.

Although, if you scroll to the bottom on your link it says following that course you can:

  • Progress on to our Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Which might suggest that it really isn't the same qualifcation....

As someone who has A levels, an Art Foundation and a degree from Art College, I am fairly sure I do know what the different qualifications are.

I also have friends whose children are doing A levels and considering an Art Foundation before university.

Today there are more options in the sense that you can do 4 year Art degrees that incorporate a foundation year, or there are the L3 Extended Diploma BTECs where you have already spent 2 years focused purely on art and perhaps don't need the rotations of the Foundation to decide discipline and prepare a portfolio. If you have done A levels then that year can be invaluable and the top art colleges do still seem to prefer it.

flyingsquirrelsagogo · 25/08/2025 12:48

angela1952 · 23/08/2025 10:38

Apologies, not read all the thread, but without a pass in maths she'll obviously have to go somewhere where she can do a resit and most schools don't do this. It's worth a re-mark but doubtful that would happen in time for her to get the exact course she wants.

You're probably limited to FE colleges rather than schools so you'll have to do a thorough search of what courses they are willing to offer her. BTec Art or Art and Design is possible, there are various different levels and courses with different contents, just make sure it is at a high enough level to be useful. Perhaps you can see if her school can offer her help and advice, they can tell you about options?

She passed maths. A 5 is a decent pass. Absolutely no need for a resit.

angela1952 · 25/08/2025 15:31

flyingsquirrelsagogo · 25/08/2025 12:48

She passed maths. A 5 is a decent pass. Absolutely no need for a resit.

Show quote history

@Moschops1 actually wrote that most places want a 6 for what she wants to study.

flyingsquirrelsagogo · 25/08/2025 21:59

angela1952 · 25/08/2025 15:31

@Moschops1 actually wrote that most places want a 6 for what she wants to study.

Show quote history

For thd places shes looked at. But it’s a fact that a 5 is a pass in maths. Resit for a better mark? Maybe. But she most certainly did not fail maths.

Original poster
Moschops1 · 27/08/2025 22:31

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to make suggestions. I’m really pleased to say that we went to many different FE colleges and she was accepted into all of them, so now she’s just making her decision. It was also really nice because they all told her what great marks she had and one place even called her an art prodigy ☺️ and was trying to get her to do three a levels in art. It made her feel better about not getting into the schools that she originally planned for. This is the first time I’ve used this forum after having joined when my daughter was very, very young and I feel so grateful for all the genuine help that was offered.
So a huge thank you again from a very relieved Mum x

OP posts:
sashh · 28/08/2025 09:10

Glad things are sorting out and good luck to DD with her next studies.

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