All the country seems to be celebrating GCSE results, I am not!

[reasonableme]

Dear Mums,

Please help me see light at the end of what seems to be a dark tunnel.

Everyone on Mumsnet is celebrating their children's GCSEs - most posts I read were talking about their DC's 8s and 9s with the least grade I read about being a 6. Clearly all those super accomplished children's parents are all on Mumsnet or vice versa which is why I think this is the right forum for my question.

My DD was predicted 6s and 7s in most subjects but she ended up with 4s and 5s in most with just one 6. She cleared the entrance exam for a private school for 6th form earlier but now lost out on that seat as she couldn't clear the entry requirements. No school in the vicinity wants to take her. She prepared very well for GCSEs spending several hours every day. I personally helped her with several hours of revisions, free science lessons on YouTube , flash cards, practice etc. She was in top sets in her school for almost all the subjects. I am really struggling to understand what happened that her marks were so bad across the board. University path as we know is literally over for her and her a levels are a big question mark.

The school (state school, ofsted good) hasn't bothered to get in touch with me after the results and surprisingly they didn't express any surprise at her results. I emailed them requesting them for a remarking and I asked DD to resit maths and English GCSEs in November. I am trying to get private tutors while trying to get her admitted to 'some' 6th form college. I suspect she has mild ADD as she is highly fidgety and is into mindless dancing with music blasted into her ears. I am planning to take her to an educational psychologist for help. Other than that no major distractions (as if that was not major)!

Both DH and I had high academic backgrounds and her disastrous results are depressing to all of us. I have not become normal 4 days since and have been crying for days now that all my dreams for her have been shattered. Most universities want consistent track record so GCSEs matter more than we wish they did. The results are poor in all the subjects so there is definitely a major disconnect somewhere. How do I see light and how do I move on?

I wonder if I could sell off the unopened CPG revision guides and raise enough for a bottle of gin????

Ozy

I'm sure you could sell the guides. You might have a local FB selling group, and see if someone really local would like to buy them, so no postage and you both get a better deal out of it. Or different people.

Hi ReasonableMe,

I understand why the results are disappointing, and why you would be upset - education is much more of a partnership with our children, than when we were studying many years ago.

If you can find somewhere appropriate for your daughter, she will still have lots of opportunities. Good Unis take BTechs, as other posters have mentioned and if your DD goes down the A level route, there are more courses than ever available through clearing. This year, St George's offered a number of places for their Medicine degree.

I think you guys need to accept her results and deal with the challenge of finding her a place for 16-18. Recriminations for the school can wait.

In the mean time, I find that gin or wine tend to help.

Good luck!

My Gosh posters here are horrible! so its ok for some parents to come here and talk about their overachiever kids but not okay to show disappointment and ask for help to better your situation? if you have no advice for her, read and move on! you do not have to type on your keyboard, silly much. It's not your child and you can aim or be happy with your children's low grade she is not and what makes you think her child isn't also feeling same. If you can't help keep your opinions to yourself.
@reasonableme I'm sorry about your disappointment and as a parent share your pain as I would feel bad as well if everyone around has better results, we all want our children to do great and have the best opportunities offered to them. Keep contacting the school and seek advice on how best to deal with the situation or career adviser. Good luck and hope for the best for you and your dear child.