For parents of average kids 😃

[Justforoncecansomethinggoright]

My DS got 2 Ds (A Levels) and a distinction.

He's disappointed in the 2Ds but still got into his first choice uni to do Geography.

What with COVID screwing up his schooling, dyslexia, and difficulty with exams......I'm happy for him.

Not everyone is A* material. A string of academic qualifications does not necessarily equal a happy and successful life or make you a better person.

Well done your DS for getting in to Uni. I hope he enjoys every minute.

Grades are meaningless once you are accepted into the uni you want.

Congratulations to your son and you.

As long as he's happy and you're happy, that's all that matters.

Hope he has a blast at university

Exactly. I had average GCSEs and A Levels. Got an average degree (2.1). Ended up with a DPhil.

Congratulations and thank you for the thread. DD couldn't cope with school after the COVID lockdowns. She got severely depressed and had no physical academic place for 16 months (yes that is illegal). So no GCSEs and no A levels, despite heading for decent grades before that. But she's much better than she was, is slowly improving and has a place on a supported internship for next year.

Hope your DS rocks university.

Well done to DD for progressing and moving forward.

Fantastic, absolutely well done!
People have no idea how content heavy A-Levels are these days...it is so much more than 20 years ago. However there is still the expectation of deep understanding of the subject; this is nigh on impossible for the majority of students.
He can do what he wants to do, that is the most important thing.
(I have been a secondary teacher for 22 years and taught A-levels in RS, Philosophy, Politics, & History. My main aim for all of my students is that they feel confident going into the exam and they achieve their best).

Well done to your ds!
My friend's ds just got into a good university to do his subject of choice after getting lower than expected GCSEs and going the btec route instead. He did really well.
She's rightly pretty proud of him, as we all are.

I've got one of each. My older DC has all A*s at A level and as younger DC underperformed in GCSEs - as they just can't revise the way that is required for these content heavy exams - they went the btec route instead. I'm very proud of them as I know they too have worked hard but also frustrated as a I know they are both equally as intelligent in terms of being able to understand deep concepts quickly, problem solve, handle data, write with advanced use of language. It's just one could jump through the right hoops and can prove that externally.

Well done your ds.

I do think people loose sight of what matters and some places online (MN included) can give a skewed idea that every child gets 8/9's and As!

I'm really pleased for him he's happy.

My DC just got 1 C & 2 Ds and couldnt care less!! They are not off to uni (cant think of anything worse than studying for a second longer!) and starts a great job in 2 weeks. The job wanted transferable skills which they got in abundance and didnt ask for any qualifications at all. Luckily their part time job was diverse enough to cover this off.

Most qualifications are pointless after you've got to where you need to be and I cant remember the last time anyone asked me what I got and I didnt need any of my gces, a levels or my degree for my career!

Ive always said to mine that so long as youve got enough to move onto the next stage dont worry about them - they are not the be all and end all at all!

Exactly this. And the same goes for GCSE. My DH did A level maths 30 years ago. He said the content in GCSE maths was like the first year of the 40 years ago A Level. People talk about grade inflation as if it's a fact the 3 xA's are equivalent to 3xC's 30 years ago when they are not.

So true about degrees not always being needed for career.

My ds did a T level and did a placement through them. He works there now PT whilst he also pursues his sport at an elite level.

He left school after yr 7 as couldn't cope and only got a decent placement after I got him an ehcp.

Congratulations to your child (and you) they got their first choice uni! I think largely A levels are a stepping stone to get to university! They are in - awesome result! That’s all that matters. Once starts uni A levels will be forgotten! 🥳

Absolutely right! My eldest DD got decent grades but wanted to go straight into work after A levels. It hasn't held her back at all. Both my older DDs have boyfriends who were not academic and did not do A levels, and both are now doing very well in their respective careers. Middle and youngest DD are both very academic and uni was / is the right choice for them, but it certainly isn't the only good route to a career.

This is so reassuring to hear.

My DS does his gcse's next year and is just not academic at all but he's brilliant in his practical subjects such as DT.

He's just an average student really but all I seem to read on here is you have to get A's in everything to get anywhere in life.

Lovely thread OP.

Fantastic thread and well done to your ds!

So much pressure on this generation - TikTok posts ok how to get straight 9s at GCSE. Why??

Op that's fantastic news, congratulations to your son. Good luck at university x

My DS also got 2 d’s and a c today. We are genuinely gutted as he had an offer from BAE for a degree apprenticeship but needed 3 x c’s. He worked so hard. Was never formally tested for dyslexia but was awarded extra time due to processing issues. I’m devastated for him. I keep telling him and myself something else will come along and it will all turn out good but today is a hard day.

well done to your child and I hope all goes well in work.

Sorry to hear that. Have you called them? An apprenticeship at BAE is very difficult to get onto, so your DS must have impressed them with his application. It may be worth asking. Also, maybe look into any L3 engineering apprenticeships as a stepping stone?

Is there a clearing course that would suit?

Sorry to hear that. Have you directly contacted BAE? Life is full of what ifs but you never know what is round the corner.

🩷

He doesn’t want to go to Uni. We are going to look at some HNC / HND apprenticeships when he’s ready to look.

Just awaiting to hear from BAE but it’s more than probably going to be a rejection. He required 3 c’s. I just wish he had listened to me and chosen one light subject, he did maths, physics and chemistry.

On this board everyone's DC get 3 A *s. And are grade 8 on the cello (or whatever). In real life our DC are a diverse bunch with lots to offer 😊

Absolutely. 👍