Predicted grades for A level

[Puzzledmum]

My DD is in a very selective girls grammar school in year 12( nearly over). The school is very reluctant to give high predictions. They did not sit AS levels, but had internal final exams, which should be used instead of AS, I believe. She got 4A grades on these exams but is unsure if the school will predict her the A she needs for Oxford. If she did not get the AAA prediction, can she still apply for the course she would like to do (Biology)? I was left with the impression from the open day, that she may not be allowed to even apply if the predictions do not match the required offer. Any thoughts?

Goodbyestranger - she has not been predicted at all. She only has her grades from the final year exams. And yes, I agree it is petty! That is exactly what I am unhappy with. Nothing is going to change between now and September, so why the suspense!

Sendsummer - she has done first draft of PS already, knows exactly where she would like to apply and has researched the courses. The school has been encouraging verbally and have told her she would be a good candidate for the course but have not indicated for which uni

Then she needs to ask them specifically whether Oxbridge is an option.

I think you might be worrying unnecessarily. There doesn't seem to be anything to indicate that she won't get the predictions she needs. The school sends a large number to oxbridge, so they clearly don't scupper lots of chances by underpredicting for everyone and for those who have AS exams, it's normal to wait until September to get predicted grades from school.

I'm struggling to see what all the mystery is about on the part of the school. It sounds to me as though they're too boxed in with redundant AS level results timing to shift their stand. Very silly and I wouldn't have much time for it. But then our school wouldn't tease its students like this (the final predictions have always been made in Sept but no Oxbridge applicant would be left in the dark about grades, and certainly not if they were, or were worried they were, on the boundary grades of being able to make a viable application). Did you ask the Ho6 direct if Oxbridge was a runner or did you simply ask about the timing of prediction of grades? Sendsummer is right - you/ your DD need to be direct and ask a question which will get you a yes/ no answer.

I completely agree with all of you!
Stranger and Summer - I am about to speak to the Ho6 , and shall ask directly to get a yes or no answer. That is exactly what I want so that we can plan ahead :)
Kitten - I hope I am worrying unnecessary! It may be that case, I just do not like being left in the dark and in suspense. I know they have told the girls, they do not feel will cut it for Oxbridge already, so hopefully no news is good news for us. I never expected this to be such a waiting game and also quite nerve wracking!

I get you on the nerve wracking bit. Wait til the will they won't they get an interview bit, then the results of the interview, then the actual exams. It's all so horrible for anyone with even a slightly nervous disposition! You get about 5 minutes relief after each stage.

Kitten - thanks for the heads up. I hope she gets to the interview stage first :D I am a very anxious individual, so you can only imagine what I am going through already and the real thing has not even started yet.
On a positive note - I spoke to the Ho6 and although she did not reveal the actual predictions, she said my DD should definitely apply, as she stands a good chance to get an interview. SO I suppose, I can't ask for anything else at this stage (not that I am going to get anything more) and shall leave it at that, until the beginning of Sept when we get the grades and then decide what to do.
Thank you all for the support!

That's ok :) I suggest getting in early supplies of gin
It's also really worth looking at other places in depth and focusing on the positives they have over the oxbridge courses so that they don't get too hung up on it. View it as an exciting chance if you can.

There's an oxbridge 2019 thread going in higher education now.

Many thanks Kitten. Yes, she has a couple of other options she is considering at the moment, so should be fine. Great advice to embrace it and to think of it as an exciting opportunity :)
The gin is already stocked and being successfully drunk ;)
I have marked my place on the other thread already. Thanks again.

Puzzledmum I know it's very hard not to want your DC to succeed in whatever it is they want, but my advice would be to try very, very hard to mask your own anxiety, because if it's in any way palpable it will feed down to your DD and that can only be bad. If the Ho6 is encouraging then that's all you need - especially since it doesn't seem as though anyone is digging their heels in about predictions, it sounds as though they simply haven't firmed them up.

You are absolutely right, Stranger! It is quite possible that they simply have not firmed them yet. I’ll just patiently sit and wait for September while enjoying the summer