Really bad GCSE results - really lost as where to go from here

[canitgetanyworse]

I really don't know what to do for the best.

Son has come out with 6 'D' grades at GCSE. We knew Maths and English were going to be hopeful as lots of problems with teachers over the year, but really did expect some C's out of all he took.

I thought I had all options covered but now I struggling to keep myself together. We had lined up a 6th form place at a new school opening if he did really well and a level 3 college place if not so well.

However as he had gained nothing recognizable I don't know what to do as nether will accept him now.

The college has offered a level 2 place but the course is only worth 1 GCSE as far as i can make out (extended certificate), he can do this then go on to the level 3 but only if he passes with high marks.

I've emailed the headmaster of the school we were to be honest very glad to see the back of to ask what options if he is allowed to stay on might be available.

If I let him do the level 2 they don't do GCSE retakes so even if he passes and can go on he has no GCSEs. The course is very specific so if he decides down the line its not for him I feel he has totally limited his options.

What the heck do I do? I've spent the last 5 days in floods of tears, feeling a terrible mother to have let this happen. He is not stupid, lazy yes. Almost 100% attendance and would attend any help classes offered as not much learning happened during class as sadly found himself in classes with kids that just wanted to mess around. I tried all I could at home to help but obviously my help did not help.

Do I let him go to college and hope to god he passes the level 2 to get on, or hope school let him go back and pray to god he passes something?

I'm asking for a couple of remarks I think. ICT is just 1 UMS away from a C
English is looking like just 5 away. Maths cant find out till the teachers go back to school as no marks just a grade on the sheet.

I would definitely encourage him to redo his GCSEs. It's one year out of his life which may seem like a lot at 16 - but as parents we know it's no time at all! He got 6 D grades so it shouldn't take too much to push them up to 6 C grades at the least. If he had a host of E grades and U grades and had worked his socks off then I think it's a different story.

I wouldn't want to narrow his options down too much at his age when he was so close to getting 6 GCSEs. Yes it may work out and he may fall in love with this area and be very successful, but I would feel like this is a bit of a risk. There is never going to be a better/easier time to get these GCSEs sorted out.

If school haven't been helpful - what does his maths tutor say?

I think the OP needs to take charge of the situation;her son is only 16 and sounds rather immature at that. Twenty five years ago I failed to get the A level grades I needed for university through lack of revision. My parents cared about me but left me to it as they had no experience of higher education themselves. I thought I had no option but to find a job instead;I found myself a 'nice' job but not a career. As I grew older I came across so many other people who had re-sat their A levels at 19 because their parents had taken charge and found somewhere for them to do their re-sits (and in some cases different A levels on a one year course).These people then went on to have much better careers than me!There will be a solution - he is so young - but you have to seek out the options for him and phone as many places as you can. One option - could you afford a private sixth form college for one year? I think there are a number that would do one year intensive gcse courses or re-takes.
Believe me, what seems like a 'wasted' year at 16 is nothing - good luck!

Perhaps a balance between taking charge and letting him take responsibility.

Sitting down together and making a list of what all the possible options are:

resitting GCSE's

doing the level 2 course at college

finding an apprenticeship in something that appeals to him

etc

Discussing the possible options, what he would have to do to achieve them and what the consequences would be for his future.

The OP doesn't want to take total charge, but it is always good to have a more mature person around to act as a sounding board.

Yes, perhaps I have over-stated it a bit but I do think your son needs those gcse qualifications in this competitive era. Even if he does get a place on a training course he loves or an apprenticeship, he may miss out on a permanent job in the future because all the other applicants do have the gcses!