Being on holiday for gcse results

[Buttercup82]

Were looking at going on holiday to florida next year (DDs choice). Weve got to go in the summer holidays but she has her GCSE results at the end. If we look at going at the beginning it's working out above our budget. Shes not bothered about getting her results while we're away but I'm concerned with enrolling her in college? Anyone else done this/had problems?

I think I also agree with a pp that having done exams and put all that effort in, the priority should be that child's results rather than the family holiday.

A considerable number of conversations might be needed after results. These could be between a member of the 6th Form team and student about whether the options chosen are the best for the student, given their results - some alternative courses might be suggested by the school/college or by the student themselves in light of results. It's a bit like going through the UCAS process and you can find yourself effectively in Clearing, with grades a bit disappointing and looking for an alternative - this might not be a different insitituition, but a different subject. Remember that as well as the general en try requirement for the school or colleagues,each course will have an entry requirement, and it is often there that students fall down. So they may have needed a 7 for A Level maths but got a 6 so now need to find an alternative A Level - and do it before that course is full - much much easier if you are there. Some students also essentially find they have done better in some subjects and revise their choices - but again, much easier in person.

Wouldn't it be a great pity to find you couldn't adjust your course choices or receive individually targetted advice from teachers based on your results, because you were riding a roller coaster in the USA?

Excellent posts by WombatChocolate
On results day DD must have been at school for over 2 hours to enrol for 6th form and sort out her subject choices. Several students had to change their subject choices due to not getting the right grades at GCSE or there not being enough demand for a particular subject.

It just wouldn't have been practical for this to be done on the first few days of term as timetables have to be set.

I think the answer here is be guided by your child and their circumstances. My sons friends are all away and he preferred to be in Disney World. His sixth form is sorted. If your childs circumstances are different be guided by that.

"I think the answer here is be guided by your child and their circumstances"

And by the 6th form education provider. My friend's son nearly didn't get into 6th form as he just assumed he would turn up on the first day of term without enrolling beforehand. If you are confident your child will get the required grades, will be doing A levels/BTECS in non niche subjects and you have informed the school/college that your child won't be there to enrol on results day then it should be fine.

Enrollment day at college here is same as results day. Only found this out a week or so ago. Please don't book anything for that time

Lots of people have said its fine to be away if you are confident of your child's results in advance. But I would say, it's impossible to know what their results will be in advance for individual subjects. You might be confident that they will meet the minimum requirement for admission to the 6th Form or onto the overall A Level aspect of study, but no-one can be sure how they will do in every single individual subject and when each A Level also has specific GCSE result entry requirements, it's easy to be away and find you are a grade below what is needed for 1 of your A Level choices and some re-thinking or negotiating with the 6th Form is needed - all of which needs to happen speedily before places are filled.

You wouldn't go away on A Level results day if you're waiting for uni places as you might need to get in the phone or do some negotiating and this isn't really that different. I also think students get peace of mind from knowing they will be there and able to deal with any issues which might arise, plus there is the social aspect of it all too - it's the first time they've had external exam results and it is a special experience to be with friends going through it together.

Given there's a whole summer holiday, I'd book for another part if the holiday or if it's not possible delay that specific holiday to another year. But clearly lots of people are far more blasé about the whole GCSE results than I am and I'd want to be sure DC had access to all advice and all options which might only be temporarily available if things hadn't worked out as planned - and that can happen to anyone, as the threads on here on results day show very well.

That is exactly my view, Wombatchocolate

As I said before be guided by your child and circumstances. My sons choices are set and the school want him in their 6th form. They know he won't be there on results day and have already enrolled him. All his friends are away too. So check your choices now and discuss with your daughter and chosen school etc then book your holiday accordingly.

You must be very confident thst your son will get the right grades for his A levels Debfronut

DD's school is oversubscribed. The local 6th form college isn't.

The 6th form college I went to made national news a few years ago as students and parents were queuing round the block to enrol. It just seems so much more fraught now than in the early 90s!

I just dont understand, when you've had years and years to have "whole summer" holidays, that one year when you need to be back for her first ever big exam results day, you need to book some huge trip overlapping.

TapasForTwo well the school are so I am guided by them. He has consistantly got 8 or 9 for mocks and tests so as he needs a 5 to do Maths and Further Maths they seem to think its a given. As I say I was guided by them.

Branleuse This was a holiday he chose as a reward for all his hard work over the last three years. As I cannot take him out of school for holidays anymore the summer 6 weeks is the only time we could take the break to Florida and Orlando is still really busy the first two weeks of August. So end of August was the only time we had. We arrive back the day before he goes back to school.

If he is doing gcses that year, he will be done by 2nd week of June though. Absolutely no need to be away for 3rd week in august.

We did exactly this the year my DD was due GCSE results, we were in Florida until 2nd September and my daughter arranged with the school that her grandparents could collect on her behalf. There was no issue with college places either, they are able to change their mind even after starting at most 6th forms/colleges anyhow so I think it's a non issue especially as your DD is not bothered.

Wombat we did exactly that, took full advantage of the advisors around. My dd had such a turnaround between sitting the GCSEs and getting the results that she needed guidance. It had nothing to do with her results but choice of A levels to go into her new career choice. We did t see her changing her mind but she did.

Branleuse There is a vast difference to Orlando crowds in June and August. That is why we are going at the end of August.

Cab you go early? Before the summer prices? She'll finish school in May or June. Could you get away then?