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 think we were supposed to do this on results day but didn’t realise. They would have then submitted the review requests on the same day, if appropriate.

I will go with DS on Wednesday to speak to the exam officer. It is frustrating that they are not available before then but it’s probably our fault for not talking to someone at the time. We didn’t know what to do.

Thanks to everyone who have posted links and given ideas, it’s appreciated.

Lying about it 🤦‍♀️ absolutely terrible messsge to give your ds.

Lies always come out in the end.

I failed my A levels, it was a useful life lesson in terms of you get out what you put in. I ended up getting a degree but definitely went through long way round to get it.

You neee to tell the family the truth and I’d encourage your ds to take some time out to work out what he wants to do.

@LadySadMum I don't quite understand your original post. Why did you have to lie?

Apprenticeships are hugely-competitive though.

Staffordshire University's in Stoke, and is a good post-1992 university.

Exams officer will definitely be in next Thursday - GCSE results day. Good luck. I’ll admit I got shocking A level results many, many years ago but went to uni after a gap year and came out with a respectable 2:1, however it’s what you do with the degree afterwards that’s more important I guess. Your child will need to up their game if they do get in somewhere.

Op you can’t genuinely think that this boy’s ill
and aged grandfather actually gives a toss about this?

Sounds v stressful. But there will be a way through. Lying was a bizarre thing to do. Take another A level in a year and resit one?? He’ll get there even if not a linear path.

During Tony Blair's crusade against private schooling, my daughter applied to Oxford, was predicted 4 A grades, aced them all, did lots of music and out of school activities, but was denied a place, there or in any Russell group university. She went to India and Kenya for a year (she was a gutsy girl), went to York, loved it and got a first. It's a great university!

Stick to gov.uk in the main if looking forward an apprenticeship - avoid the sites like total jobs. The big employers have an annual intake but smaller employers offer them all year round so tell him to check every day. Things will come up that he's never even thought of.

My son had a really good apprenticeship offer, did very badly in his exams (which we knew was possible, tbh) and missed the grade he needed by 2 marks. We've asked for a review but the bottom line is that most grades do not change. So he's already applying for other apprenticeships but he'll have to go in at level 3 instead of 4. It is what it is.

Fwiw my eldest didn't want to go to uni, left school with no plan, got an apprenticeship with a local employer and has done brilliantly well. Holding her own in the workplace (they gave her a full time job at the end), qualifications, money in the bank, and no debts. It's a good route. And a lot of kids just don't want uni. We've been led into believing it's for everyone when it really isn't.

If he is interested in cyber security, the Navy offer a civilian role in cyber security.

I can completely understand why you told your son's elderly granddad everything was OK. Hell would freeze over before I'd trouble my elderly, unwell dad with something like this - unless it's unavoidable, I keep all bad news from him.

OP, your DS will find some way forward and if it isn't uni, you can tell his granddad that he's thought about it and decided that an apprenticeship (or whatever it is) is what he'd rather be doing. In some ways, in this age of huge student debt, they are a much better option anyway.

You might have to have a quiet word with his uncle and explain what's going on, if you can trust him not to share it with the granddad (I don't think you've said whether uncle and granddad are from the same part of your wider family).

Wishing your DS the best of luck, whatever he decides.

The OU is brilliant, but it does require a huge amount of focus and self-discipline sustained over a long period of time. I don’t know your DS or his reasons for not doing so well in his first year of A-levels, but I question whether he’d cope, especially with very limited peer support and tutor contact. But he could certainly try a foundation module with them before deciding whether to continue.

You need to ask him and concentrate on what he wants to do now, rather than casting around for any course he can get on to save face, especially because it sounds like as things stand he may struggle, wherever he goes. You also need to stop the nonsensical lies that will only be making him feel worse.

I dont disagree with you it is unlikely however unless the question is asked op wont know, likewise even as a student i didnt know it was a 'thing' at my university until an admissions tutor said about it. I always think until you know your options /facts in full you cant make the right decision.

Just to add to this. Perhaps think about joining the army?

There is the Intelligence Corps and also the Royal Signals.

The Royal Signals are currently recruiting for roles in cyber security. This includes training that can lead to a BSc in Intelligence & Cyber Security.

Initial pay is £27,300 and then £35,300 within one year.

All without having any student debt.

Royal Signals Combat Cyber Operator:

https://jobs.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-signals/combat-cyber-operator/

.

The Intelligence Corps are also recruiting. The equivalent role there is Operator Technical Intelligence with the same pay.

They also do apprenticeships at MSc level as well.

https://jobs.army.mod.uk/roles/intelligence-corps/operator-technical-intelligence/

.

It does usually take several months from first applying to being accepted but, this time next year he could be training towards being involved with cyber security and getting paid to do it.

After leaving the army, it is this sort of experience (that he was paid for) that can then be used in other areas when he later looks for a job outside of the army.

I agree, the priority shouldn't be saving face, it should be about a sustainable long term strategy that will enable DS to be independent and self-sufficient and happy.

I think I recognise the family dynamic though and sadly I don't think op will break the generational cycle. Years from now the DS will be hiding his son's results from op.

But the point is… would he want to go somewhere that he knows he quite massively missed the grades required.

If they did accept a student that has so widely missed the requirement as this - then it’s because the course is hugely undersubscribed.

which in itself doesn’t bode well

Thank you for understanding this. It’s DH’s Dad and we don’t want him to be upset at this stage of life.

Don’t under estimate him.

He won’t give a hoot I suspect. He’s aged and ill. He will no doubt have a better sense of perspective than anyone else in this scenario

My ds has got As results and failed 2/3 got two u grades this is not reflecting his normal results and he just wants to give up on education.
School have called us for a meeting on Monday.
Has anyone any advice or thoughts on outcome of a meeting.
He studied hard

Also @LadySadMum my brother failed his A levels spectacularly in the 80s, something like 2 Es and a D. He point blank refused to resit, had a part time job already, was offered full time in his role/ trainee managership and smashed it. He's been on the mythic 6 figure salary for decades, a lot more than his big sis with her degree. He is bright and able with an amazing work ethic and I'm so proud of him.

I’m sorry but they’re all pretty crappy universities. I certainly wouldn’t be happy for my DC to take on a shed load of debt for such low ranked unis it’s not worth it

I think if kids want to, and parents are happy to support it, that's none of your concern.

The reduction of all education to a cash in-cash out calculation is misguided.