A level results disaster

[LadySadMum]

DS was predicted CDD which was low and based on not doing much work in year 12. However he really started working much better in year 13 and seemed to be getting better marks in his results for mocks and class tests.

So we were hopeful that he would get better than the predicted grades. He seemed happy after each exam, completed all the questions. There were a few questions that he said were hard but this is normal, right?

Anyway he got CEU. Obviously he missed his firm and insurance but it’s not even enough for any foundation courses.

The C is fine and the E was in his worst subject so can understand that. But the U is unexpected and I feel it can’t be right as he wasn’t that bad at it!

We’ve asked for a review to make sure all the questions were marked correctly and if it changes to an E that would get him onto a foundation degree. We made a mistake as we didn’t ask for it at the time (we were shocked and didnt think to ask) and by the time we contacted the school again they had left.

The exam officer is not available until next Wednesday now so it’s an agonising wait.

The worst thing is we’ve had to lie to everyone that everything is OK and he’s been accepted into uni. His grandad is ill and would be devastated if we said he failed. We also don’t want to navigate all their questions and worries until we’ve worked out the next steps ourselves.

So now we’re getting congratulation messages from all the family and his uncle is also visiting later today, probably with a present. It’s all so so awful.

I will join you. DD was predicted 4 A* and got an Oxford offer. She got AABB. She's got into York but she's obviously very upset. We have gone up 3 marks on two Politics papers after a remark which leaves her 1 mark off an A so I've put the third paper in for a review as well.

I'm surprised he can't get in a foundation course .Sounds like resitting next year is the best bet and reapplying?
It's a shame you lied as it will have to come out.Saying he didn't get what the grades he wanted and is considering a gap year to get better grades would have saved a lot of awkwardness.⁸

Yes I agree about the lying because that will just make you all feel worse.

Don’t panic. It will be okay. There are lots of alternatives out there to university and access to higher education pathways that are not traditional. Tell people your son is having a year out. Consider all options.

Just tell them he has decided to defer for a year - and re-sit while working part-time. It will work out. Just keep encouraging him.

My son is at York. It is a lovely university. He was similar.

Also move this to higher education threads- lots of ideas and support and people in similar boat

Thank you. She will have a fabulous time and I'm sure she will flourish at York. It's hard isn't it when you are redirected.

Perhaps he isn't cut out for university? It is generally predicated on a level of intellectual ability and capacity for study.

I went to York and it is an amazing Uni. Best years of my life!

Uni isn’t for everyone, just leaves you with a lot of debt and no ability to do a days work, so no one will hire you in a minimum wage job. He may do a lot better with a job or an apprenticeship.
Tell everyone he wants a gap year

2 years ago, DD got some shit very disappointing results. She'd intended to take a gap year anyway, but given her grades, tbh, further study was just not right for her at that point. She did Camp America, some travelling, got a job which she loves and now is starting to think of her next steps. It's been the making of her and absolutely the best thing that could have happened - if she'd gone to uni, she'd have dropped out with a pile of unnecessary debt. Plan A isn't always the best plan. (And don't lie about uni, you don't want to dig a hole you can't get him out of).

Does he really want to go to uni? Is he really passionate about the degree subject he’s chosen?
I’ve been a teacher for a long time and I have concerns about how uni is pushed as the goal for students who may never earn a salary that reflects the debt they have taken out. Our 2nd ds graduated last year; the job market for graduates is really hard. He has a job but its entry level so he isn’t using his degree. He enjoys his job but he could have started it at 18 and been 3 years further ahead now and not have spent an enormous amount of money.
I think an honest chat with his grandad and a gap year working might help him decide if academic study is the right path for him.
Please try not to worry - our eldest ds dropped out twice, but is earning a living and renting a flat with his girlfriend. He’s hardworking, caring and grounded; uni just wasn’t for him.

I know what people are saying about lying, however we had to make a quick decision as to what to say. After we’ve worked out what to do we can then say he’s deferring or decided to work or whatever.

If the U does change to an E then he will get onto the foundation course which will be fine.

Or my DH has suggested the Open University which DS is happy to consider.

It’s the waiting for the review which is torturous as then we will know where we properly stand.

A levels are so hard and its really stressful waiting when you haven't got the results you expected.I hope he gets accepted on a foundation.

Like many people, I worked through uni. I spent my holidays working as a receptionist at a GP surgery, and in term time I worked behind the bar at the students union. All of my friends had jobs, so we’re all able to ‘do a days work’ when we graduated. I don’t know if anyone would have hired me in a minimum wage job after graduating as I thankfully got on a graduate training scheme with a bank, but as I was paid more than minimum wage in my holiday job I think I might have had a chance.
Having said that, if I was your son OP I’d seriously consider whether university is the right route to go down. If he struggled with a-levels he may find a degree is just too much. What sort of career is he interested in?

Is he cut out for university anyway? What were his GCSE results? We have 3 DC, two were academically average in school and we encouraged a vocational route ending in good apprenticeships. Both now have fantastic careers with no student debt.
DC3 gained grade As in physics, maths and chemistry at A level and is now doing a Masters at a good RG university. Even with all that behind her I'm nervous for her future (not that I'd tell her). With grades like your DS university is not something I'd encourage.

I would seriously ask whether doing a degree is the right thing. It really is not the be all and end all. The low marks are an indicator that it is not.

Do bear in mind universities are wanting revenue. And will, I suspect, happily lower the bench mark to get people in. Even if the student later leaves early. Some money is better than none. They are different institutions these days. They are businesses.

Lying will have impacted on him badly as it will mean he will think you are ashamed of him for not getting the results.

If your son does get a regrade from a U he will rack up a shed load of debt.

I would change the idea of a degree. And focus on something else instead. That suits him far better.

Hi OP, I’m sorry to hear this . If it’s any consolation my son totally messed up his grades two years ago. He was predicted 3 x B’s he got 3 D’s he felt like a total failure and a bit like your son he worked hard in the last year so it felt really unfair. I remember asking my brother not to ask him what grades he got because he was so disappointed and it was the first thing he asked him, so mean. It is a horrible end to school and it really shouldn’t define them at the start of their lives. As others have suggested it may not be the right route for him at the moment. Let him take a gap year, grow up a bit and think about what he does want to do. It’s really not for everyone and more and more kids are taking alternative routes. My son took two years out and qualified as a ski instructor. He’s now set up his own business. Try not to panic I know how awful it is though, you feel so sad and disappointed for them. Big virtual hug and good luck! 🤞

DS can get a good job without going to uni. Plumbers, gas fitters, and electricians remain in high demand and won't be replaceable by computers.

I second all the people saying that lying was a stupid idea.

Might it be better to recall the script before a review? Were the marks low across the board or one paper?

I absolutely agree uni is not the only route. We’re also having a look at apprenticeships.

He’s interested in IT particularly cybersecurity. His C was in Computer Science.

He is keen on doing a degree and I think he would be good at it as he will be able to immerse himself in his chosen area.

Looking for a job/apprenticeship is a minefield too. Many adverts don’t even seem to be genuine, they sound good and then say this is ‘self-funded’ and you’ll get a job at the end…

This is what we need to find out but can’t speak to the exam officer until Wednesday.

Does the results slip not breakdown the marks?

On UCAS clearing quite a few have cybersecurity degrees with foundation year with a tariff of 48 - eg Bedfordhire (EE grades acceptable)Gloucestershire Staffordshire Wrexham there is still hope especailly as it gets closer to start of term and they want to fill seats