University 2020 :8: Use the CAGs, don’t use the CAGs...

[MillicentMartha]

...if you can use the mocks, then use the mocks but not if they're higher than the CAGs.

And hopefully on to university!

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3993327-University-2020-7-Results-tombola-roll-up-roll-up-pick-a-prize?pg=39

Oh thanks. I'll tell him.

Fingers crossed, eh?

Congrats on the good GCSE results for DS LimitIsUp and everyone else with good news on those!

Both my DC did well at GCSE Maths, with an A and then a 7, and therefore embarked on Maths in the Sixth form with the intention of doing the A level. But both of them only lasted the first year Maths wise.
DD took an AS but sadly got a U.
And DS was advised to drop it after the first year as was borderline for a future U as well (They'd stopped actual AS levels by then)
They both concentrated on their other subjects (and trumpet playing and auditions for DS) and got good outcomes destinations wise for University.
And I think an extra year of Maths and problem solving can't do them any harm on top of a good result at GCSE.
A useful life and study skill that supports other subjects?
Our family experience seems to have been that sixth form Maths is quite a step up though!
Good luck with your decision!

@JugglingFromHereToThere my dd was told her CAG at an exam clinic at school on results day, and then received an email with her CAGs on Tuesday, so two days ago.

Thanks Juggling, I had heard its quite a step up!

I'm wondering if maybe we haven't heard anything from school as there's no change on results from last week's ones.
But surely they'd send an email to confirm that at some point?
DS school have been rather quiet on the whole thing, as in we haven't heard anything since last Thursday when he went in to pick up his original results.

Congrats to all on their GCSEs!

Yes 6th form Maths very difficult!

@LimitIsUp what was his GCSE? Yes A level Maths is a big step up but Core Maths Maths might be a very good idea if he is looking at any sort of science degree. Much more manageable.

Thanjs HuaShan, it was an 8

Just had a funny thought.
Some people still refer to onset days as Baker Days after the 80s education secretary. Maybe this years results could forever be called Gavin Grades.
"Mum, what did you get in your A levels?"
"Well, son, I got Gavin Grades instead because we were special"

**inset days

I would think that Core maths would be fine if he got an 8, LimitIsUp. At DS’s school you have to get a 7 to do maths A level (8 for FM) and they get really good maths results, more than 75% A and above. It depends on the teaching as well, of course, but he should be easily capable of Core maths and it will help his other A levels.

Perfect, thanks - ds sorted now then. Happy with his 3 planned A levels plus Core Maths AS level

'Gavin Grades'

Gavin Grades! That's it, that'll stick now!

This might interest some of you.

www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/20/firm-linked-to-gove-and-cummings-hired-to-work-with-ofqual-on-a-levels?CMP=share_btn_fb

Second core maths as a v good qualification and should help with his other A levels and any maths in his uni subject

Ducking Cummings & Gove
Why am I not surprised

@seasonfinale...thanks for that clarification. Not good news but makes sense. I must say pre Us have proved to be a real pain. School obviously agrees, they are switching back to A levels from those subjects that had adopted a Pre U syllabus.
DS2 got a nice haul of all 7s and 8s for GCSE so a lovely straightforward celebration. The one result he had from the board which also runs the Pre Us (French, CIE) changed about two hours after it had been posted. Same happened to lots of his fellow pupils. Seems CIE can't cope with this year's constant challenges and changes.
Hope you all had a good day with the 16 year olds as we did.
Back to worrying about DS1 now....I like the bunny, he would love that idea. Will tell him when he wakes up.

Ds is still waiting on a review of his application from his firm choice. College have provided mitigation evidence and his progress tutor has also submitted a statement supporting his application. He talked in an email to me about all the adversity ds had faced and how well he dealt with it & how well liked & respected he is by all at the college. So whatever the outcome (I do believe it is a very remote chance of success) that is good to hear. We now feel we have done all we can and so are hoping for a miracle, but very prepared to move on and get ready for the insurance offer.

@northender we are also waiting in the same way, though in our case college say they aren't able to provide a copy of what they have written. DS has done everything he can possibly do, so there may be empathy from the firm choice that his grades don't reflect him. If not, then the insurance choice it is. We have no right of appeal it would seem against a system that has allowed someone to produce a low grade on the basis of 'lack of evidence' I'd really like to address with the college their complete failure but not sure how.

We have no right of appeal it would seem against a system that has allowed someone to produce a low grade on the basis of 'lack of evidence'

Does this help at all?

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/910620/6676_Changes_to_awarding_GCSE__AS__A_level__EPQ__AEA_-_summer_2020.pdf

What if students have concerns about bias impacting on centre assessment grades?
As we have said previously, if students or others have concerns about bias, discrimination or any other factor that suggests that a centre did not behave with care or integrity when determining the centre assessment grade and/or rank order information they should normally raise these concerns with their centre, in the first instance; or they could take their concerns to the relevant exam board if this was the more appropriate route.
Where there is evidence, we require exam boards to investigate such allegations as potential malpractice or maladministration. Such allegations would be very serious, and we expect them to be rare.

@MarchingFrogs many thanks, I think it's going to be very difficult for anyone to appeal under that criteria particularly as it has to go through the school first. I think I'm most frustrated that they have used this as a reason without actually telling me that there was lack of evidence as ds could have rectified this, apparently it was listed on a report that was never sent out, so perhaps that's an angle I can take. At the end of the day, and I know plenty will say oh well, he obviously didn't do the work, A levels are normally based on final exams and coursework, not whether you hand your homework in on time, which is what makes the evidence approach flawed. DS completed all the coursework, it was in on time, there is a substantial amount of it due to the subjects he took, he was told to solely focus on the coursework, yet they then use 'lack of evidence' as the reason for a D grade when he was predicted an A or minimum a B just a few months before.

Lightup, the system is horrible (I was against closing schools for GCSE and A level pupils and exam cancellation right from the time it was announced). Another option is a gap year and do the A level exam later this year so a "real" grade is obtained.
it might be worth paying a solicitor too so if the school refuse to consider the request for an appeal they know they may be facing a judicial review (court) hearing about it.