Appealing predicted a level grades

[starrydreamer]

Hi

Does anyone have any experience of appealing predicted A level grades?

DS has been predicted ABC.
He got all As and A* in his GCSEs. He was on the Oxbridge list at his state school.
He stated A levels at predicted A A A.

However in January he was assaulted on his way home from School. It has a massive effect on him and he slumped into depression. Things didn't seem to go his way all the rest of the year. Various other things.
The school were aware but the teacher who predicted him the C said it was lack of work ( true, he wasn't in the mood) but also the jump from GCSE to A level. Not sure about this.
He can only appeal the C to B and even that is doubtful as the subject (science) is notoriously difficult to persuade to raise the grade. The teacher that gave the C is now promoted to the position he would have to appeal the grade to. He has 2 weeks to appeal so no time to really show his abilities.
The summer break has helped and he's feeling more himself and wants to get back to the A grades he was used to

For all those reading who have DC you will know that these grades will make a big difference to the University he can apply to.

Any parents or teachers have any experience please?

I am sorry to hear your story OP. I do not have any confidence in predicted grades and might encourage my son to apply post A level on the basis of his actual achievement. You might consider that as a fall back possibility rather than give the school any chance to undermine university applications. You can meantime argue with the school of course but I do not know how that works.

Thanks rogue

We had thought about going through adjustment/ clearing and it may come to that but I think it would help if he could apply to a Uni we had visited. We've done quite a few open days.

There is a big difference in the courses depending on the grades

To the best of my knowledge the teachers get no sanctions if the predictions are wrong - that all f all's to our DC.

I'm not sure how this all works, but can he apply and then if the grades he gets are much better and nothing suitable in adjustment, then withdraw, reapply and take a year out?

Sorry to hear he’s had such a tough time. You’re right that his predicted grades will have a significant bearing on where it’s worth applying to. Adjustment would be one option but can have implications for accommodation, and is dependent on where has available spaces.

In the circumstances I’d be inclined to take a planned year out and apply after results with grades in hand. It also means that he can spend Y13 concentrating on getting his grades up rather than open days/the application process etc.

Sorry to hear your DS was assaulted, the mental scars can take much longer than physical hurts. It’s good that he’s feeling more positive now after the summer break.

Given that applications don’t need to be submitted until January, why not ask if the teacher/s will review and make a final decision at half term? That gives your DS time to show how his work has improved. Given he was assaulted, I would expect the school to show some flexibility here. Also he can then stil get his application in early November and hopefully get some offers through before Christmas.

My DS had poor predicted grades and still got offers from all the RG universities he applied for. (Kings College, Manchester, Leeds, Warwick & Exeter) I am not sure about Oxbridge however they have their own entrance exam and interview process and as long as your sons personal statement reflects his recent issues I don't think his predicted grades will impact

Given that applications don’t need to be submitted until January, why not ask if the teacher/s will review and make a final decision at half term?

This is good advice. If he can provide evidence between now and half-term that he is working at A grade level, they might be willing to adjust it.

bang the first filter at Oxbridge is: does this applicant meet our minimum standard offer grades? So Oxbridge would be off the table.

How about repeating Y12, rather than trying to catch up? That would give him the best shot at getting the grades to match his potential. Of course dropping down a year has a huge impact socially but I think that's what I'd advise a DC in the same circumstances.

If he is seriously going make a big improvement then gap year is something to consider. Plenty of people are not seen as Oxbridge material, then good great grades and apply a year later. Sure he could find something useful to do during the time - works six months to fund travel for example.

hertsandessex getting great grades in nine months after a rocky Y12 with depression is a herculean task. A gap year doesn't solve the issue as much as a three year sixth form would (or might).

What is he doing to catch up the work he missed? If he is going to ask for a better grade it will be listened to more kindly if he turned up with a bunch of extra work he has completed, his plan of action on catching up the rest and perhaps that he has hired a tutor.

It’s going to be a huge task.

Tbh, UCAS predictions ususally err on the side of generosity so it seems a bit unfair that some schools disadavantage studnts compared to others. He should also have some sort of indicator grdes, based on GCSE predictions (sometimes schools hide these a bit at A Level and some of them use Minimum Expected Grades and then lose sight of the first word)

I'd at least speak to them : if he is so naturally able, I don't see why they can't predict a ' downhill on a good day with a following wind' type prediction. It seems silly not to in these days without AS results and with so many unconditionals.
Agree that he needs to show he is catching up though.

My DS's school told me they do PGs based on year 12 exam performance and I wasn't sure how helpful that approach was as it doesn't build in any sense of 8 months or so development afterwards...

This 'appealing' stuff sounds a bit OTT!

"Sanctions" - really?

Teachers can't see into the future you know. They can only predict on the basis of what they've seen so far.

And I don't know any school/college that doesn't err on the side of the higher grade if stuck between A/B, B/C etc.

To the best of my knowledge the teachers get no sanctions if the predictions are wrong - that all fall's to our DC.

Not the point of your thread I know but seriously? Asking a teacher to predict almost a year in advance with no knowledge (due to no magic powers) about what might happen during that year in a student's life is bonkers as it is but are you seriously suggesting there should be "sanctions" for teachers who fail to guess predict correctly? Jeez.

IME, predictions only really get accurate close to the event. UCAS predictions, again, IME, tend to err on the side of optimism for this reason - DC know what their predictions are and put the effort in because they want to meet them.

user - crossed post!

Agree about 'appeals' being way over the top Piggy. Also, a C to an A where the judge is also the defendant? Fat chance I'd say (depending on the individual teacher of course).

... and actually we do in my school, annoyingly. Not sanctions as such but we get ticked off for 'inaccurate predictions'...

goodbyestranger I wasn’t sure about oxbridge but that makes sense

Perhaps 'sanctions' is the wrong word. However, it will have much less, if any, impact on a teacher than on the student.

He's resigned himself to not apply Oxbridge pr Durham etc now. As they needed all As.
He still wants RG or similar though.
But yes, the defendant ( teacher who gave the lowest grade) has now been promoted to judge. Good analogy, thanks.
He is able but being beaten up in broad daylight took a massive toll on him that I don't think has been fully understood by the School staff. He tried to put a brave face on things. I think the grade was based on his effort last year not his ability. And in that sense I don't disagree with it BUT he needs some time to try to pull it back.

Being beaten up in any light must be hugely traumatic. Honestly OP, he needs time to recover. Appealing predicted grades is almost besides the point. An extra year is peanuts in the grand scheme of things.

He's adamant he doesn't want to repeat. Or change schools. I think after the assault he just wants to put the area where we live behind him. He's very keen to go to University.
" as far away as possible "
New start where no one knows what happened

Yes I get that. It's a really tough sounding situation. If he were open to repeating the year it seems to me that that would be the best way forward. But he's clearly not so just try to avoid short term choices which end up as long term regret. Much easier said than done. Best of luck.

One of the problems is that they have to predict what they're seeing.
You do get children who look like they're going to be AAA at A-level after GCSE who don't cope at all and ABC would be better than they're going to get. You need them to see that he isn't just one of these pupils.

You've got to persuade the school that not only he would have got AAA if he hadn't been attacked, but he is also going in with a different mindset and this year will be better.
I think that will be an uphill battle for anyone.

I don't know if it's true (noblegiraffe do you know?) but someone said on here ages ago that some universities consider how accurate the grades have been in the past and adjust expectations accordingly. (So for example if they tended to be 1 grade too low they'd look at AAA and think of A*AA.) Which should encourage teachers to try and be precise.

I think the best bet would be to ask the teachers to give him a chance this term, and do the predicted grade just before the UCAS form needs to be in (can't remember when the form needs to be in)rather than now. I don't know if they'd be prepared to wait, but I can't see them being happy to raise a score 2 grades without proof.