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

just heard dd was 2 marks off two A stars in French and English, and 3 marks off an A in Geog, reckon worth a remark? school says yes.

By our experience at A2 - definitely recommend the re-marks - you may need deep pockets to pay for 3 papers though

school subject heads emailed us re French,Geog and English marks and said they recommend remarks, could you email them tsc? Dh is just mentally adding it to the school fees bill, only way he copes JGBMum ;-)

School will be able to tell you what her raw marks are and the grade boundaries for the subject. If your DD missed the next grade by a few marks or a couple of % then it's worth getting the teacher (or school's) view on getting the paper re-marked. However, it is expensive (£50 a time at A level) and if the re-mark comes back lower, then that is the new mark you have to accept.

That is so lovely, eightieschick. Had me in tears too! My DD hasn't been so forthcoming but we have shared a bottle of pink champagne and so we are both feeling very happy with life!

Herbietea interesting you say he's planning to drop the Psychology after AS level. DD1 has just done exactly that. She is predicted AAAB with her other four subjects for A level and had already long decided to drop the Psych. She got a C in it last week and was very surprised as was expecting D at best. She did, however, say that it was a HUGE amount of work along side her English, Economics and Geography (General Studies is a compulsory 'piece of piss' (her words)).

I got the same sort of speech from DD2 today as well, as if I hadn't been in tears enough today. Not just with her results, but with all of your DC's too!

A glass has been raised in my house to you all.

Hello again mumslife - then we can hold our virtual hands for the next two years then! DS is starting year 10 too...! Now I have done last year and this, I feel ready to dive headlong into the next round!!

how sweet of your children to say that, really lovely. DD said 'you have spent a fortune on my education, i have been very lazy and am disappointed in myself, thanks mum for not saying it out loud'

MABS - tbf I think she's saying the same sort of thing in that teenage non committal way

you are possibly right Rockstock :)

Well done to all - but also just want to say ...what a high achieving bunch you all are !
Wonder if there are others like me reading and picking their jaw up from the floor when they see stuff about DDs beating themselves up at only getting a mix of As and Bs .
I hope that others with DC who get a mix of Bs and Cs don't feel dissapointed .

MABS - I have three teens who are masters at the non committal type comments

Mumslife - I saw that comment, thank you so much. It sounds to me like your DD is doing just fine - she is clearly aware that the hard work will pay off and her subject choices look to be good and solid, but manageable too. Don't know where you are based, but if it's anywhere near either London or Oxford , my DD2 would be more than happy to help with maths and science if she wants. (She's unofficially helping one of DS's chums with the odd thing that he doesn't 'get'). Sometimes I think help from someone who has only just done the subjects at that level can really benefit - they talk the same language!

My DS is a standard can't be arsed sort of chap. He knows he has to pull his finger out now, but I fear I will have a hard year of it at first. Attitude can be his middle name at times (though a swift raise of my voice sorts that ), but he's a sportsman through and through and that is all he wants to do! his subjects are very close to your DD's actually, though he's doing graphics and ICT rather than Art and Textiles; the rest are identical.

Gingeroots - i do know what you are saying re disappointment with a and b grades. BUT she was lazy and was predicted all As and knows she didn't work. She was ill for 2 months and my son had very major operation which defo distracted her majorly too, so it has been a hard year all in all.

MABS - she's done brilliantly with so much to cope with .
She and you should be delighted and proud .

thanks sweetie :)

Your son is so young really mumslife - at 9 my DS was totally uninterested in school full stop! It's great that he has science/maths/computer strengths - I should imagine that these will be the making of him. Geography is another that me may well enjoy as well. One of my brothers (the one who is now a pilot) is also dyslexic, and as I said way upthread he struggled terribly at school, but he's almost 38 and flying - literally and metaphorically.

If you can find someone - probably a Year 12 student to help guide your DD with bits that she struggles with, that could help her a great deal. The person will be fresh from studying at that level, so will (IMO) be well placed to explain things in Year 10 language. Your DD may know some of the older girls at her school anyway, which is always a start.

Frankly my DS is lucky to have reached almost 15