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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (16) - The Final Countdown

999 replies

mmzz · 09/08/2018 18:34

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3304925-gcses-2018-15-the-reckoning?

OP posts:
EllenJanesthickerknickers · 15/08/2018 20:24

Nice to hear from you Always. I'd hope that her sixth form would be very sympathetic. I work at a grammar school and DC with health problems are well looked after. In some cases an alternative provision is the best option, if that provision can provide a better variety of course types that might suit someone with difficulties in maintaining attendance, but those decisions aren't made without consensus. Dropping a couple of grades in a couple of subjects wouldn't be much of a problem given the context, though. Flowers

sandybayley · 15/08/2018 20:30

@AlwaysHiding - good to hear from you. I'm sure that the school will be sympathetic and supportive.

Yes Ad Maths is tomorrow but we won't get it until next Thursday along with the GCSE and iGCSE results.

DS1 has said again today how awful it was so I'm not expecting much - although everyone has also said the same so I'm sure it was a stinker of an exam.

mmmz · 15/08/2018 20:30

It's good to see you back, AlwaysHiding. Your DD has had such bad luck, health wise, that I can't help but feel that surely some positive surprises must be coming her way, just to keep the universe in balance!

eaglefly · 15/08/2018 20:32

Always so nice to hear from you. I can only wish all the best for your DD and that she gets everything that she deserves. It's not been an easy road and I hope that there is good news ahead.

Yup AddMaths tomorrow - easily the worst exam of the lot.

Cherryburn · 15/08/2018 20:41

All good re the move to Further Ed. I was just wondering Smile

Always good to hear from you. I too would hope that your DD’s school would be sympathetic and relax the criteria if they know what she is capable of. I guess their only concern might be if her health problems are ongoing and could impinge on her ability to access the A Level courses, which could in turn be detrimental to her health.

Hopefully she’ll get what she needs next week-she certainly deserves to.

rogueelement · 15/08/2018 21:03

Finally driven to de-lurk - I've been reading this thread for months now. Very pleased that some of you are getting some good results.

My DD has got some of her results and unfortunately it's not good news at all - she's struggled greatly all this year with anxiety and depression, and so far has passed just one. She did actually sit all her exams, which at one point I thought wouldn't happen, but very much in a fog.

We're waiting on the remaining regular results next week (whyyyy do CIE release them 9 days earlier than the rest?) hoping that her chosen 6th form will have a course that she can do. It's quite hard to talk about, too - people assume that she'll be a typical high achiever and it's not like that.

TheThirdOfHerName · 15/08/2018 21:05

According to the website of DS1's firm/first choice, they're accepting BBC for his course through Clearing. His offer was ABB.

TheThirdOfHerName · 15/08/2018 21:10

rogueelement she did well to sit the exams.
DS1 was originally targeted to get A and A* grades in his GCSEs but was unwell from Y9 onwards. He took 8 GCSEs in the end and the average grade was B. He found it difficult to adjust his expectations, but like your DD, he did well to sit them at all

AlwaysHiding · 15/08/2018 21:11

Thanks so much for your kind words, as always, everyone Flowers

@rogue - I wish your DD the very best of luck. I totally understand how you must feel and how difficult this stage is for those DC who are facing additional challenges, along with the big wait for results next week.

The summer has flown by thus far, but I fear the next week will drag!

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 15/08/2018 21:13

I'm sorry to hear that, rogue. Are they a shock or somewhat expected? Do you think she'd be better off doing a less stressful course next year? I can recommend BTECs for those willing to work consistently but with much less emphasis on performing in exams. They can still lead to university if there are BTEC subjects on offer she's interested in. We do seem to hear more about A levels but they aren't the only route.

EllenJanesthickerknickers · 15/08/2018 21:14

Cool, TheThird really crossing fingers for your DS! Flowers

mmmz · 15/08/2018 21:21

Found it!
*Year 12 (17): Wait there's more?!" Is set to be the first title in September

mmmz · 15/08/2018 21:21

Year 12 (17): Wait there's more?! bold fail

PeggySchuylar · 15/08/2018 21:23

Congrats to those with the excellent results.

For those who are finding things are not going to plan, my family has had excellent experiences with BTECs too. So much so that DC3 is choosing BTEC as a first choice over A levels.

It’s really hard to struggle with health issues. I wish exams were more like your driving test where you do it when you are ready.

TerfTerf2 · 15/08/2018 21:32

Big hugs and Thanksfor always and rogue and your DC. Puts all other issues into perspective.

Friend's DS is autistic with ADHD and dyslexia (has an ongoing EHCP). Loves school, but can't write or process stuff efficiently. Desperate to do A levels. They found a state sixth form here that will literally take him as they find him, help him through some retakes if necessary, alongside starting one or two Alevels or BTECs. They've said he can stay as long as it takes to get to where he wants educationally. I guess those sorts of schools are few and far between sadly, as there must be loads of kids who really need the tailored approach but can't afford to go private. I so wish education (and health) weren't such a postcode lottery sometimes Angry it's not fair that we all pay the same rates of income tax but some get way more for their input than others.
...come the Revolution...!

Oneteen · 15/08/2018 21:50

rogueelement Flowers

Oratory1 · 15/08/2018 23:07

Welcome rogueelement

rogueelement · 15/08/2018 23:33

Ahh, thank you so much for your kind comments and welcome. This thread has been so positive and helpful. She has been offered a place at 6th form to do BTECs but she has very much missed her grades. I thought she'd scrape them, if I'm honest, but I think I underestimated how difficult it was for her to concentrate. She is dyslexic - really struggles with working memory.

Sixth form do have some Level 2 options so we just have to see. I guess really, with everything else that's been going on, doing a more basic year might be a blessing in disguise. But I know she is desperate to keep up with everyone else. Trying to keep her busy over the next few days while the dust settles.

superdoodle · 16/08/2018 04:56

Good luck to all those with DC awaiting A level results today....the suspense must be overwhelming!

Some of you may recall my DS’s school taught the incorrect text for English Literature (imagine the horror of finding no question on the book you had studied!)

DS received his result on Tuesday. I’m delighted to say that he got an A*, exceeding his predicted grade.

All other 7 grades were as expected/hoped for, save for chemistry. DS is very disappointed as this is one of his A level choices. Can I have your thoughts on the merits of a remark (the first on this thread!)?

The school has confirmed that he scored 79 UMS, 2 raw marks (out of 200) below the A grade. The paper that let him down was the theory paper - his raw mark is 38 out of 80. On average he would usually score at least 50.

Any thoughts on whether it’s possible for a remark to find an extra 2 marks on chemistry theory?

Thanks

Cherryburn · 16/08/2018 05:59

Well done to your DS superdoodle, particularly on the English Lit A*. It would have been understandable if having been taught the wrong text had thrown him for the whole paper.

On the Chemistry, I’d say with 79 UMS it’s definitely worth going for a remark. You pay separately for each paper to be remarked so I’d start with the theory paper and take it from there. It’s very unlikely that his grade would drop when he’s that close to the next boundary, so you have little to lose (apart from the cash!) I’d request the remark ASAP so you have time to do the other paper(s) before the deadline in the event that the extra 2 marks don’t materialise on the first.

Good luck- very frustrating to be so close.

mmmz · 16/08/2018 06:49

I remember the mix up about the English Lit texts well superdoodle. Even though there were hundreds of posts that day and several dozen posters, your post stood out. What an achievement for your DS to overcome that hurdle! Many congratulations to him.

Did he manage to cobble together an answer for the other text, or did the exam board offer all the students at your DS's school some sort of adjustment since the mistake was not theirs?

I'm afraid I can't advise on the wisdom if a remark, this being my first time through GCSEs. What do the school suggest?

BlueBelle123 · 16/08/2018 07:02

Superdoodle brilliant English Lit result and thoroughly deserved given the circumstances!

Regarding the remark I would echo what cherryburn has said and also don't be tempted to put more than one paper in at once as he could gain marks on one paper only to lose on another.........plus it is a review of marking now so would be less likely to change, athough I did notice last year there were still an awful lot of reviews that resulted in a changed grade, good luck!

Finally regarding the Chemistry if the teachers think he's capable then I would go with that everyone can have an off paper.

JufusMum · 16/08/2018 07:06

Sending love to always and rogue and your DC's XXX

Well done to your DS for overcoming that Lit hurdle super fab work.

Good luck to all DC waiting on A level results today. I can't think about next Thurs without feeling very sick.

LooseAtTheSeams · 16/08/2018 07:14

superdoodle that's a brilliant result! StarAnd yes, it is worth asking for a review of the theory paper for chemistry but just be prepared for it to stay the same! At college we put 8-10 in review for English last year and only 2 went up but that meant it was still worth doing! Best of luck!

eaglefly · 16/08/2018 07:30

Super great results. So glad to hear that mishap in the English paper all worked out ok. Well done on all the results.

Have no experience of GCSEs before this but if that close I would definitely go in for a remark.

What are the deadlines for a review of the papers? Do these vary by boards?