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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

GCSE Results Day 2017

979 replies

justmumof1 · 21/08/2017 06:45

Hard to belive that I was here 5 years ago sweating it out for the results of his secondary school offer!

Only a few days now bwfore the GCSE results come out. DS is starting to get nervous....as am I!

OP posts:
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Azure · 21/08/2017 20:36

Signing in to thread as anxiously awaiting results for DS. Absolutely no idea what he's going to get - he's very capable but lazy. He needs decent maths and Eng Lit for his preferred A level choices, but I'm getting quite despondent about the new exams. DS very nervous and doesn't want to discuss anything to do with it.

TeenAndTween · 21/08/2017 20:42

Here in Hants the state schools don't have 6th forms (with a few exceptions). A benefit of this is that students have to actively think about their next step and what would suit them best. The colleges that focus on A levels tend to have 5Cs as minimum requirements but higher grades for some subjects depending on A level choice (e.g. B at English if doing History, A/7 for maths, B for MFLs if continuing them).

clary · 21/08/2017 21:12

Gosh yes totally agree re B to continue MFL - no way you could do French Alevel with a C (I teach MFL)

troutsprout · 21/08/2017 21:57

Good luck to all your dcs. I really hope they all get what they need to progress onto their next steps

Eusebius · 21/08/2017 22:01

Signing In too. DS needs a very high grade in Maths and Physics (old A* or whatever it corresponds to now) to be able to his preferred A'levels. No idea what he's going to get. Bright but stupendously lazy. He's good at exams though but I'm getting really twitchy with all the news about garde boundaries, problems with marking etc.

Original poster
justmumof1 · 22/08/2017 06:33

My DS is also very lazy and relies on his memory to get him through. Although he has a BTEC Extended Diploma course offer as a back up, I really would prefer him to do 'A' levels- so he has a broader choice at Uni, whuch is his ultimate goal.

...he is nervous now but I wish he had been feeling like that in the run up to his exams!

OP posts:
RaskolnikovsGarret · 22/08/2017 07:00

DD has worked extremely hard, so hope she does well. She will be disappointed with anything less than top grades unfortunately, although we are obviously saying that it does not matter as she has done her best.

Results at 9am.

Ragwort · 22/08/2017 07:07

I keep asking my DS what his back up plan is if he doesn't get into 6th form - he has no idea. I am hoping he will get in, but by no means certain. Have to say he is not worried in the slightest and no signs of nerves.

I will be going with him on Thursday but no doubt have to lurk in the car somewhere. Grin

Yogagirl123 · 22/08/2017 07:17

It felt a long time coming, impressed that your DS is letting you go to school with him. My DS would never agree to that! I must be an embarrassing mum, lol! Keeping my fingers crossed for the results as his college place is conditional. DS has put the work in so I hope that he has the results he needs. A little stressed, as well meaning MIL, has told me she's already brought a congratulations card! I never like to count my chickens. Good luck everyone.

Yogagirl123 · 22/08/2017 07:20

Pleased to hear others haven't got a back up plan, nor has DS, he was so certain he wanted to do a particular course, that is only offered at one college local to us, he hasn't wanted to explore other options. Adds to the pressure somewhat!

MrsEricBana · 22/08/2017 07:23

Us too on Thursday. Quick question - ds adamant that they've been told that the new 1-9 thing doesn't apply to them this year because of their specific school / boards taken etc. Surely this can't be true?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/08/2017 07:43

Mrs Eric ds only had 1-9 in English and Maths, the rest is the old system.

Teddygirlonce · 22/08/2017 07:54

It hasn't even entered our heads to have a back-up plan other than a sixth form that requires lesser grades...Yikes!

Made the mistake of going into The Student Room GCSE Results Day thread yesterday evening - with a very few exceptions everyone seemed to be expecting mostly As/A*s - how can that be normal????

Two sleeps to go...

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/08/2017 07:55

Teddy- our back up plan is.....nope, not got one either!

PamBeasleyHalpert · 22/08/2017 08:10

Mrsericbana - my ds will not have any number grades either - did IGCSE in maths and English so will get letter grades for those

minesawine · 22/08/2017 08:18

I am so stressed because DS wants to do maths A Level and needs a grade 7. I tried to talk about a plan B but he says there is nothing else he wants to do. He is more than capable but the new maths exams really threw him. I really trying to stay calm but I have no faith in the system. I have a constant knot in my stomach whilst smiling tbrough gritted teeth.

TestTubeTeen · 22/08/2017 08:25

Clary: two of the sixth forms Dd has offers from demand an A in all A level choices.

Yogagirl123 · 22/08/2017 08:34

The maths is so hard, DS took higher paper. Got to Easter break DS said I am worried about maths, this came as a complete surprise as he is good at maths. We hired a private tutor for a couple of hours a week to explain topics that he was struggling with and to build his confidence. He seemed confident when he took the exams, so hoping he will pass. Not expecting a grade 9, be delighted with a pass which my understanding is a 4, this year. Two more sleeps, good luck for Thursday everybody.

clary · 22/08/2017 08:44

A grade for A level choices is not a bad idea tbh. Certainly I can see why schools might ask for 7 in maths for example.

I was talking in the summet to a mum whose sone was struggling with maths a level - turned out he had got a C at GCSE so hardly surprising!

Hope everyone gets what they need!

MsHarry · 22/08/2017 08:52

My DD told me that an A at GCSE is equivalent to a D at A' Level in that subject so that is why higher grades are required/desirable for the A Level choice subjects.

Eusebius · 22/08/2017 09:11

MsHarry - But that doesn't make sense. If an A at GCSE is the equivalent of D at A'level then what must one achieve to be in for an A at A'level? I get that here's a big leap between GCSEs and Advanced levels but that type of comparison is surely flawed?

MsHarry · 22/08/2017 09:17

Eus DD was told this by one of her teachers. I think the point is that, as you say, the gap between GCSE and A Levels is big and to stand a reasonable chance of being able to cope with the work, you need to be quite proficient in the subject. I guess if an A is a D at A level, you stand a better chance of grasping the subject material. if you were to get a C at GCSE, presumably that might be equivalent to U at A'level, not impossible but a steep hill to climb.

tiggytape · 22/08/2017 09:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GeorgeTheHamster · 22/08/2017 09:25

DS2 isn't getting any number grades either, only letters. He is at an independent school and they have done IGCSE maths, additional maths, English Lang and English literature.

MsHarry · 22/08/2017 09:28

Yes tiggy that exactly.