anyone else starting to get worried?

[cricketballs]

I know that I should know better; I teach GCSEs and every year have the same discussions with students/parents that no matter results there is always a route available for the future.

But now, it is a week and 1 day away from my own DS getting his GCSE results and I am really starting to get nervous! He needs B grades in order to go to his first choice college and C grades for his 2nd choice (which neither DS nor myself were really enthusiastic about attending).

I have the old 'sweet smile' on the outside but inside I have all sorts of events going through my head! For example, what if he has failed everything and decides to not go to college at all (even though I know it wont be that bad).

Surely my working experience should prevent this but it isn't

Well, DD2 has just rung me to casually announce that DD1 will be driving her to school tomorrow morning 'when we wake up'. She will call me, but there is a chance there will be some 'socialising' with her chums first. Apparently, because the group that came to Spain for their let's get wankered as much as we can end of exam treat haven't all been together since 19th July, their arms might fall off if they don't do this social bollocks. Or something.

I swear she's doing it to make me sweat. I may kill her.

TSC she's going to have a blast! I am so looking forward to being back in England now, with all the festivals that I can go to next year! Lined up for V with my sister already, and threatening the DDs to come to Reading with them too

Morning everyone. DH left at 5am to play hockey in Germany so I have had plenty of time to fret about today's results already. DD sleeping peacefully! Good luck to everyone. X

4 A grades (in subjects she doing for A Level) and 5 B grades. We are very relieved and pleased after the stressy year we have had. She happy but aware she should have done better in truth. But hey ho, over now and she can study what she wants and focus on her A levels :) thanks so much for your support

Congratulations, MABS. Sounds like she chose the right A level subjects! We have to wait until 10am before we can phone school for results :(

congrats MABS; no online access to results for us, school opens at 10 and I am still only allowed to sit in the carpark

thanks girls and good luck to you both. We have to go to school at 9.30 for the actual marks etc, and i was meant to be staying in the car too :( but apparently now i have gracious permission to go in with her!

wow you are honoured MABS

indeed i am Cricketballs, and apparently we are allowed to take her out tnite for dinner, how lucky we are! she is not going to the party with her friends which i find veeery odd really .

Hi, all. DS has just left to pick up results. (bites nails, chews hair). Great news, MABS.

Good luck sieglinde. Sending supportive and positive vibes!

Thanks. Still waiting... aargh!

MABS that's brilliant news! Congratulation to your DD for those. Have a lovely meal this evening.

Well I'm waiting. DD2 is going in to school in about an hour (not open until 10). For one who was not really all that nervous, I have had a crap night of sleep just thinking about nothing but GCSEs.

Hi, all. DS seems to have 9 A, to add to the 3 A from last year, making 12. I am in awe. He seems to have got 100% on several papers, too. I shall now hide my diminished head for worrying.

Blimey Seiglinde I'd pour yourself a large glass of something! Congratulations to your DS, what wonderful grades, you must be absolutely beside yourself with proudness.

Thanks RockStock. I've actually just poured myself a coffee because I got not much sleep last night worrying. Yes, he's pretty amazing... just put the champagne on ice...

We have been permitted to sit outside in the car while she goes in to get them. She's been gone ages and seems to have forgotten us. Her friend and friend's mother were in tears in their car when we arrived... Did not look like tears of happiness.

Wow - don't think you needed those positive vibes. What a star! Congratulations. Put the champagne in the freezer so you can have it for elevenses! I haven't dared buy any as I felt I'd be tempting fate.

I wasn't allowed to buy anything in advance...now off to the shop.

I shall raise a glass to you all later regardless - it's been a nervy time for us all. Good or bad - we will need it

I'm waiting for an email from school...they entered all of Yr 9 for the first maths GCSE module this year. DD1 got an A* in the mock and we're hoping she's done the same in the real exam. She's away at army cadet camp so is waiting for a text from me on an ancient mobile phone whose battery can last almost a week without being charged. Turns out that there is a socket in her billet, but she didn't take a charger so that's pretty irrelevant really!

Fingers crossed for her and for all of you!

Exams helpline telephone number: 0808 100 8000

GCSE day, Thursday 25 August, it's open 9am - 7pm, then Friday 26 and Saturday 27 it's open 9am-5pm.

They will help with FE/HE courses, vocational training, remarks and retakes and subject choices.

Telephone number: 0808 100 8000.

Congratulations MABS and Seiglinde and to your DC for those fab grades. My own son is at school at this very moment collecting his results and (hopefully) enrolling at 6th form. Good luck to everyone, as Rockstock said, it's been an anxious time for all. Time to relax for a while now.

Phew. 9 A*s and 1 A (Art). They only do 10 at their school. Very relieved and pleased for her- getting a B would have been terrible for her.