University 2020 :7: Results tombola, roll up, roll up, pick a prize!

[MillicentMartha]

Well, it’s been a crazy few days.

Old thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3962422-University-2020-6-The-one-with-the-results-at-the-end?watched=1&msgid=99082625#99082625

[quote Sssloou]www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/12/shock-and-despair-as-headteachers-in-england-get-first-sight-of-downgraded-a-levels?CMP=twt_a-education_b-gdnedu[/quote]
Wow-from that article...

One headteacher in the north-east of England said 26 out of 39 students had their results downgraded compared with the school’s assessments, with one in five having each subject dropped by two or more grades. One able student hoping to go to Durham University had been downgraded in all three of his subjects, with one of his subjects downgraded by two grades

I bet there’s students in the North-East hoping to go to Durham who won’t sleep tonight wondering if that’s them .

@Flyonawalk. I’m trying to stay calm and objective - the problem is my DS goes to a large inner-city SFC, so the article is setting off a whole load of alarm bells in my head.

Sorry to ask so late, ok if ds doesn't get his firm, does he need to go and collect his results before ringing his firm uni about other courses or should he phone them as close to 8am as possible? (Results can be collected from 9am)

I bet there’s students in the North-East hoping to go to Durham who won’t sleep tonight wondering if that’s them

Sure, although 39 A level students is on the small side, isn't it? I wonder if that's the problem there where if they are that small they have a fair bit of variability in historic results. Actually, you would think with that number they would have some subjects with only a small number of entrants and I thought such cases would give a lot of weight to CAGs.

It is baffling that statistical analysis on recent results is so far removed from teacher's assessments - what else is going on there?

Top Tip check your DS course in clearing now (even if you have checked before). My DS has an A*AA offer but the course is now ABB in clearing.

Ah jeez this is doing my head in! Anyone in Wales have an insight into the A/S being your lowest possible grade business, given that the highest grade possible is an A at that level but DS needs an A* for his course? Although he's firmed for Bath who look to be doing an applicants only version of clearing of their own. All bets are off at this point!

Also if he ends up with his second choice (unconditional after sitting the university scholarship exam - and yes I know how lucky this makes him) how do we go about getting accommodation? I feel tomorrow may be a busy day, good luck everyone, I hope we are all still breathing this time tomorrow.

And shit sorry if that came across in any way smug or boasty, I wasn't thinking just wanting my boy to not be unhappy tomorrow, I appreciate how lucky he is, just want to know where he stands because this whole mess is confusing and upsetting and I am a stupid mum who doesn't want her child to be unhappy. I have told him a million times how lucky he is to be where he is in this insane year.

GOOD LUCK to all the DCs getting A level result, hope they all get what they need for their planned progression. Will be watching this thread for good news.

Marking my place. Woke up in middle of the night feeling sick. Then saw GW piece in the papers which added anger. This is awful.

I listed 3 good things about lockdown (eg no nits for a whole term) and it helped. Now trying to list good things about this. It isn't easy but here goes:

1. The wait will be over and knowing results, for better or worse, means we are in the next stage and can decide what to do.

1. I know more about the admissions process than I have ever known before and that will inform my advice to my younger children (eg your mocks may not really be mocks).

1. My job is to help my DC and as they reach late teens, there may not be too many chances left to do that. I can ace this, show my DC how to overcome hurdles.

Barrel scrapping but it has helped.

This isn't a good thing but I also keep telling myself to compare like with like: this is my 1st time waiting for A levels and there is always anxiety (maybe not fuelled by government ministers, rant, rant. but def anxiety).

Note to self: stay off internet in the middle of the night, you Rookie.

Just listened to that interview. I think that college just took the overall averages across all subjects and made it fit across the school rather than do the averages on a subject by subject basis. Did anyone else listen to it and interpret it as that? She referred specifically to a lot of interdepartment liaison. Surely it is not a we get 10% A at the school. Surely itvis we get 25% A in eg. history but only 5% in Maths. That would definitely account for the drops by 2 grades if they are (over) allocating high grades to a poorer performing subject?

So I am definitely less worried now - that school has an average grade for A level as C-, C-, C for the past 3 years according to the school performance table on their own website.

Can’t wait for the wait to be over now.

We are all awake now in this house - don’t know when ds last saw 5.30am. It’s going to be a long couple of hours until he can see what’s happening on Track.

Good luck to everyone- young people and parents. Don't think DD is awake yet but it probably won't be long until she is!

I think I must have had a total of about 3 hours sleep for the third night in a row, due to the heat and stress.

I'm completely awake and very scared.

Good luck to each and every one of your DC's: may they have everything that they need to continue to chase their dreams.

To every poster and lurker: remember that you've done a wonderful thing by coming here for support and knowledge, so that you can help your DC.

Crap night here too.
1 h52 to go

Another insomniac here too! Meanwhile DH snoring quietly and no sound from DS’s room - they’re clearly relying on me to bear the mental load of worrying for them

I’d second what seedybird said - at the end of today, and whatever joy or sadness it brings, give yourself a pat on the back for all the hours spent getting DCs to this point and continuing to support them through it all!

Morning. Anyone need . or ?

1 hr 30

I'm up. Slept OK as temperature has dropped. DS1 still sleeping like a baby.

Morning. Very scared now but trying to keep calm for ds. Told all family not to text us today, we will let them know in due course. For dd two years ago I got a barrage of texts from 7am before we'd even set off for school at 8!

Just checked ds firm website ,where they say they will make a decision on those who have missed grades by 19 August . Please God don’t let us be in this position, talk about painful .

@RedHotMummy , wise and comforting thoughts. I hope you managed to catch a few zzzzzzz.

DS is up, but he’s an early riser anyway. He is subdued - when he should be nervous or excited . Still not checking Track before school though!

Only one up in the house. Can't sleep. You would think I would be used to it....I have had Results Day for the last five years! DS waiting on results - needs AA (already got one A level) which he was predicted but studied at an under-performing school

Can I join?

Dd is asleep on the sofa in the last hour after sitting up half the night.

She needs AAA.

Results online at 8 apparently.

Normally I’m very sanguine (she is no3) but this year has me stressed to the max.