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.

@LadySadMum I think @TheSquareMile is trying to say that there may be links between the University of Gloucester programme and GCHQ, which is an excellent employer.

I don't know whether this is the case, but it's worth picking up on hints where they exist.

It depends where you are in the North West. There are hostels in Birmingham - so a weekly commute could work out without paying a full stint of student rent.

University fees are high, but the risk of not staying in education is drift and ending up in precarious labour markets.

UA92 is very new, they have had, I think, 2 or 3 graduating classes. It's very near me and has a really good reputation locally for being supportive and trying to be different. Did you go to the open day? I would urge you to before writing it off.

They have student halls, he could consider attending in year 2 or 3, and if he attended afternoons (all students do either mornings or afternoons, to facilitate part time work, and they all have Wednesday off) the commute would be manageable.

Well good luck with the re-marks - hope they give you what you want.

I'm not surprised at lack of HNC courses locally or restrictions with college access to HE courses- I'm seeing the same and even full time jobs are hard to bloody find.

Peronally if it had to be study on-line I'd choose OU and ask about transfer credits after first year for courses wanted - rather than an on-line access to HE courses from less well known provider.

I do think foundation years get push at kids and they like they because they feel they are moving forward but we found asking questions they are not all the same and some seem to be more about making the uni money that preparing the students. So while it's an option, an expensive one, it requires fair bit of research itself.

@AprilMizzel I am concerned that we have more or less jettisoned HND courses. These were formerly run by polytechnics and colleges of higher education. These have all converted to universities and they really should have kept the HND courses for lower qualified students as a stepping stone to degrees. The degree used to be a 2 year top up. I know there are foundation years but the 2 A level type student would be lucky to be considered. The rush to degrees only has made it much more difficult for dc just below that standard at 18. Plus apprenticeships can be absent where dc live and ultra competitive.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner I agree it's a real problem - as it would be a better route for many.

There are not completely gone - there are a few run by local college which has a HE campus in our area but in a very limited range. Few years ago there was a HND course in an area that would be useful to our child but it's gone now. There were none at all in area DN lives in.

@AprilMizzel I think this should be looked at by the government. I’m very pro education and pro apprenticeships but there needs to be wider choice for 18 year olds who should not be doing a degree - yet!

I think FE as a whole should be looked at. I was surprised when I looked at the MN FE board to find it full of parents of those doing A levels applying to uni. FE colleges should be about anyone post school (so 18 year olds, 36 year olds, 54 year olds) looking to train or retrain in new careers. It should have courses that enable access for those failed or didn’t take GCSEs or A levels for any reason at any stage of their life. 16 year olds doing A levels should have that need met by school sixth forms.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner @Schoolshirtshopping The Government is already working on that problem, hence this: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifelong-learning-entitlement-lle-overview/lifelong-learning-entitlement-overview

Once the LLE funding is there, the courses should follow. The intention is that people of any age can get level 4 and level 5 qualifications and potentially build up to level 6 gradually.

Adding that the HNC is only a one year commitment, and is a level above an Access to HE diploma

If he does well in the HNC, he could transfer to Y2 of a course at a university closer to home

Hi OP, I was thinking about you and am wondering how you are after what must have been a horrible time of it.

Update - so we have a result…the grade has been changed to an E after the priority review. So he’s been accepted for the foundation course!

We are delighted, after a very anxious few weeks.

He was told by the uni clearing line to resubmit the application through UCAS which he’s done, but he’s still waiting for a link to send the evidence.

A professor from his uni course has also just rang him which was lovely.

So pleased for you, what a relief, the foundation year will really set him up for the degree

YEA - I'm glad it's worked out for him.

I hope you can all focus on next steps for him and relax a bit.

Honestly we been okay with older two on results day - but the stress leading up makes me think entire process is just mad though I know changing it to actual grades would be a huge logistical challenge.

Your final statement is still true. He didn't get the grades he wanted and has decided to take a gap year. He'll likely retake his exams.

Nothing more needs to be shared. If extended family asks questions, just repeat what's been said, say you're supporting him and move on.

Lying must make your DS feel like you're ashamed of him.

I guess you are happiest that you got away with your lie... The fact that your son is going to incur an additional year of fees/debt is better for you than losing face I suppose.

@LadySadMumthats good news.

great news!

Good news. The foundation year will bridge the gap and hopefully all will go well.

Great news!

Perhaps the OP is funding his university costs.

Well it wasn’t really a lie because the situation is exactly as it should have been if the exam board had done their job properly. Well done to your son for making it through - sorry that he had to suffer for the past 2 weeks because of someone else’s incompetence.

You did your absolute best for him as always protecting him from any additional stress at a critical time when in reality he needn’t have suffered that at all.

Well done again

Even if OP is funding - isn’t it clear that this YP may not be suited to university study where it is mainly self directed with very little guidance (unless doing a STEM subject). Would he not be better off in a programme where he can learn and progress in a different, less academic way?

I don’t think it is necessarily clear that OPb isn’t suited to university. Some young people do mess around at school but then mature and apply themselves.

This happened to my DS too, please try not to worry.
DS took a couple of years out and got a job, learned to talk to people and grew up a lot (ASD)
After two years he did a one year Science Access course at college and came away with a Distinction in it, which got him into his degree course at Uni.
Looking back he just wasn’t ready or mature enough to be swept along with exams and Uni and we’ve all said if he had have got in, he’d have been home by Christmas.
Hes 26 now, owns his own home and is working in his chosen degree field very successfully and I’d urge anyone in the same boat that we were in to understand that Uni doesn’t have to begin at 18 and there are always options available.