Parents of Year 11s - the end has been and gone

[BitOutOfPractice]

The thread that got us all through the exams is now full so here's a new one to get us through the nervous wait for results

Well done to all our brave Y11s and wish every last one of them all the best

Link to the last thread

I told DD that the History grade boundary is high and she told me to stop doubting her and that she is good at History and got 90% in her mock.

Er, no you didn't madam, you would have got 90% if you had noticed the 12 mark question on the back page.

Are we the same exam board exit
DD is edexcel option A

I have no idea. That information is lost in the mists of time ...

needastrongone, it's lovely that he wants you there :)

dd and her friends have been closely analysing grade boundaries. argh.

On the nice side though, she has bought chocolate to give out to anyone who looks like they might cry tomorrow. so whatever she ends up with, I know that I have a lovely thoughtful dd.

I think I feel more anxious than DS1 about results day tomorrow. I really hope he's done ok.

I told ds3 tonight that no one remembers GCSE results, it really is onwards and upwards whatever they get.

He's going in with his friends for 9.00 and said he'll come straight home, we're only 10 minutes from school.

I've not looked at grade boundaries before, how do I do that?

Thanks Kitten, what a lovely thing for your DD to do for those that may be disappointed at her school. You are right, it's not all about results is it?

Hi everyone!

Just thought I would pop my head in and wish you all a good sleep tonight and all the best for tmrw.
I actually feel quite sick, dd said she thought the grade boundaries high so she told me to prepare for the worst......

Its so hot and I feel helpless, ice cream and vodka it is then!
xxx

I wish the results didn't really matter. DS1 needs to get a C in English to stay at his current school for 6th form (and he really wants to stay). He needs to get Bs in the subjects he wants to take at A-level too, but that should be less of an issue.

It annoys me because had be stayed in Scotland his 4th year exam results would be less high stakes because he'd simply be going into 5th year and would only have to adjust any subject choices as necessarily. The whole applications and entry requirements thing for 6th form seems ludicrous to me.

Sorry Step I said that to ds as I said it to the other boys, an off the cuff saying to relieve pressure.

I didn't mean any offence.

best wishes for all the DC for tomorrow. Certainly a level of edginess in this household this evening despite a glorious day out on the beach. And still no Gin emojithingy on the MN smileys list :)

The whole applications and entry requirements thing for 6th form seems ludicrous to me.

I agree. My son would need Bs in all four subjects for sixth form. They certainly weren't this strict with entry requirements when my older son went into sixth form in 2013. It's not even like it's a good school which is oversubscribed, the latest Ofsted earlier this year was quite worrying.

I'm not offended Still. I've been telling DS that all that matters is that he did his best and that whatever he gets is ok. It doesn't (or at least shouldn't) matter what your GCSE results are.

I'm just annoyed at the stupid system that means he has to get a C in a GCSE so he can keep going to his school. Maybe it would be fair enough of it were some selective school, but it's just a non-selective state school.

And you're totally right. No one does care about your GCSE results. DH struggles to remember what his actually were; that's how little he cares.

I can remember my standard grade results because they're all the same, except for a 2 in art. But still no one cares that it was a 2 and not all 1s.

I'm getting a bit of dizziness and nausea. I might be coming down with a viral thing, but I do also suffer from anxiety, so it could be that.

It doesn't help that DS1 isn't answering his texts, which is unlike him. It's probably because his phone has run out of charge, but it would be good to know if he actually made it to Coventry, if he remembered to buy a return train ticket, and what sort of time he's planning to come home.

I asked ds1 what time he wants to leave in the morning and he looked confused before asking why! Then he remembered and smiled.

I feel sick.

I really hope that all of the dc get what they need in order to move forward into the next phase of their lives in the way they planned.
I'll be glad when tomorrow is here.

Update: just got a text from him, he's borrowed a charging pack from a friend and is on his way home. That's one less thing for me to fret about.

Schools get measured on sixth form results so if they can select on ability, they will. I've never been a believer in grammar schools or selection on ability in state schools. Though if you don't get at least a B at GCSE in a subject, the A level is probably going to be beyond you. Colleges are much more inclusive, generally and provide lots more vocational options.

We've been visiting my brother today. Looking at a decent phone for DS2 to reward effort, if he gets into college. We've forgotten to pick up his certificate from last year for core science, and I can't find his results slip so I hope we don't need it for proof at college next week. Can pick up the cert next term, though.

I'm starting to get butterflies, picking up results at school tomorrow at 10. DS wants me go in with him. Aargh...

I wonder if someone could advise me if it all goes wrong and a child doesn't get the grades required to continue on to their school Sixth Form or gets a mix of grades ranging from B to D/E. I'm feeling a bit clueless and worried about tomorrow. Do all the decisions get made tomorrow or will schools and colleges be open later in the week/next week to deal with this sort of thing?

Oh, and do parents really not go? what if it all goes wrong? I feel it would be better to be there waiting outside to help if needed but I have been told NO.

Schools should be as inclusive as colleges.

It's ridiculous to prevent a student taking alevels in maths and physics on the basis of their English GCSE result.

DS1 is very quiet. I think he's nervous but doesn't want to let on. I'm taking him in tomorrow. If it's not good news, we'll need to visit the local college to talk about options.

I don't disagree, Step. Though for DS's BTEC course they like at least a D in English to guarantee that the student can access the information. But demanding a B in English GCSE to take maths or physics A level seems harsh. Demanding a B in maths GSCE is less surprising.

Sixth firms aren't inclusive of learning difficulties if they affect academic intelligence, IME.

Off topic, but just to give you all a laugh: having cancelled the debit card and paid for new locks, the bag that DS1 lost at a party 48 hours ago has been found by the party hostess at the bottom of her garden, complete with contents.

hot GCSEs in the range B-D/E may indicate A levels aren't the best option, and that a more vocational route may be better. (ie BTECs or apprenticeships)

Have you got/researched a plan B at all?

I think colleges will be open next week, but the longer you leave things then I would think the more chance there would be of courses being full.

hotdiggedy it depends on the school or college. Lots will be open tomorrow and Friday. DS's college says to phone on Friday between 10am and 4pm to discuss if results aren't as hoped. His school has sixth form staff on hand tomorrow straight after collecting results. I'd contact them by phone or in person tomorrow or see if there's anything on their website.

Colleges will most likely be actively recruiting those who haven't made A level requirements to go on their more vocational courses as they need the numbers for their funding. Sixth forms also need enough numbers to run courses but if they don't offer less rigorous courses than A levels they won't want DC who won't give them the results they need for league tables.