GCSE Summer 2020 Thread 10: Carry on Corona Cohort ‘The Next Step''

[OrangeCinnamon1]

Welcome all to the 10th Thread for this year's GCSE cohort - the Corona Cohort!

This is a thread for supporting all young people ( and their parents) who were examined for GCSEs 2020 regardless of the institute they attended or the grades they needed. It is respectfully requested that we are all supportive and helpful to each other.
If you want to start a debate e.g state vs private - please do not within this thread.
Similarly it should be recognised that the grades our children needed/deserved/wanted will vary across the board- we wish to celebrate and comiserate with all. One same grade outcome can simultaneously cause joy and despair for different posters and their families. Please be sensitive when responding to threads about grade outcomes.

Some of us have been here since I started first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. It is hoped this will continue. Going forward we intend to stay on the Secondary Education Board (at least until Mumsnet HQ chuck us out grin ) as from now on our DS/DD may go down various paths such employment, apprenticeships, higher ed etc so we decided not to be exclusionary.

Any new threads should have 'GCSE Summer 2020 Thread # : Carry on Corona Cohort' in title just to make it easier to find. There is no preciousness about who starts new threads!

At this precise moment in time it us 'results day ' most have GCSE results and some awaiting BTEC results .

We are all ALWAYS trying to protect our young people's mental health, which the government claims is their priority...when they talk about wanting students back in schools/college in September popping this here.

previous thread

I’ve been lurking on the threads for the past few weeks.

A mixed bag here. 3 x 7, 4x 6, 3 x5.

One of the 7s was in his favourite subject which he had been predicted an 8 for. He has been told consistently he was on target for an 8 and that a 9 was within reach. It’s a creative subject so had coursework (which I know didn’t count but as evidence..), he got full marks in a practical and almost full marks in the written project so I just cant understand why he dropped a grade. Ultimately he can still do the a level but it is upsetting and is now making him question his relationship with his teacher- why spend two years saying I’m on target for an 8, and then give a 7?

Unfortunately two of the 5s were in subjects he planned to do for a level. One he was just about a 6 for so he can understand a cautious 5.

The other one I am absolutely livid. His mocks gave him a well needed kick up the bum as he got a 4. Unfortunately DS is a classic lazy, coast along until he absolutely HAS to put the work in.

After Christmas he pulled his finger out and at parents evening in February and report in mid March his teacher said he was currently working at a 6, and was on course to exceed his target grade of a 6. So understandably we were expecting a 7. He said he would have been disappointed but accepting of a 6, but a 5...??

When I emailed his teacher to politely ask WTF?!? He’s said they were told by Ofqual to grade over the entire two year period and due to level 4 in yr 10 exam and the yr11 mocks in November, he could not give him a 6 even tho that was his most recent working at grade and he wrote in his report he was looking like he would be heading for a 7. Which is surely a loaf of bollocks?! To be looking at marks over the entire two years and averaging them?! It’s certainly not what his other subjects have done.

The real kicker is that this subject is the key to two a levels- he needed a 6 in this one subject to get into two humanities. To add insult to injury we were not allowed to go into the school, we had to email requesting a call back from the head of 6th, which I did minutes after receiving the results this morning but did not get a call, despite waiting by the phone all day. So we have no idea if he has a 6th form place. Another sleepless night ahead.

Very fed up.

To those who’s kids unexpectedly just missed out on a required grade, have the schools been flexible or stuck to their guns about minimum grades?

Congratulations to all, it’s been a really awful year for them and so unfair.

@DrunkenUnicorn as I said in my post Ds didn't get what he expected in science so your theory would work for that subject as he didn't put the work in back in year 10. But other subjects were similar yet he got more like his predicted grades today. So no idea how they worked it out.

I hope you can get something worked out.

@DrunkenUnicorn Welcome, and sorry for the difficulties over DS’ grades. I'm afraid I don’t have any answers but hope that you can get things sorted out for sixth form.

@Devlesko not particularly (apart from Computer Science which is going to be one of his A levels and he loves) but those subjects just come quite easily so it’s a no brainer.

@Zebracat

Hi there. Was here a few threads back, stressing about my inherited child. She was thrilled to get 5 sixes and four sevens, and it seems a fair reflection of her hard work. We are very pleased for her. Just hoping that there isn’t too much Covid disruption of her time in sixth form...

Was hoping to hear about your DD. That is great, particularly given all the difficult times she has had to get though. Well done!!

@bigchris - when replying earlier about doing maths with a 6 I got distracted and posted half a message, sorry.

If a DC gets a 5/6 with poor teaching or a poor work ethic, but is a late developer they can do very well, it may not be ability holding them back.

This report is a bit old (2010 data) www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/Images/153531-progression-from-gcse-to-as-and-a-level-2010-.pdf

but shows the following correlation:
GCSE A - 95.8% A-C at A level
GCSE A - 72.7% A*-C at A level
GCSE B - 41.5% A*-C at A level
GCSE C - 35.1% A*-C at A level

So, at least in 2010, 35% of people with a C at GCSE got a C or better at A level.

+Zebracat* that is so good to hear 😊

You really do have to be a certain kind of arsehole to offer your commiserations on exam rsukts is all I can say.

Just reading about Head of a local school saying they have been upgraded on 15% of their CAGs which they had thought to be pretty fair, very strange.

Has been flexibility here if grades were missed I have heard. I am just so relieved it is over and DS has survived his main school years which really haven’t been great . Very ready to move on now and just hoping the next year not too disrupted.

Morning...I felt emotionally exhausted last night. We had a family dinner & DS went to meet his mates (apparently 100 of them!) in a local park. He’s an introvert, so this was quite a move for him & stayed out for a couple of hours.
But I’m so pleased he went rather than sit in his room, made it feel like a ‘celebration’ & end of an era 😊

Ah @Zebracat - that’s wonderful news.

That’s fantastic news Zebracat!

Feel exhausted from just reading the other gcse thread. Some really love to keep kicking the boot in.

What a relief to have it all over. I slept like a baby last night.

I can't believe it's done and dusted and it's time to start thinking about back to school. DD is back in on 2 September. She can't wait. I hope it's as 'normal'a back to school as possible,

@RedskyAtnight that’s great news! My PIL didn’t bother to contact us till late afternoon when they had already heard from the other grandchild. H was brilliant and said yes all good and moving onto to sixth form. He was then informed that other child had done brilliantly and that they were very pleased. Very glad not to have been part of that conversation!

@zebracat I’m so pleased to hear your good news!

Sorry for falling off the thread yesterday - it was all a bit of a whirlwind and I lost track of everyone.
Well done to all those that had reason to celebrate, and huge empathy to those who have unexpected results; I hope the next few days brings some clarity and resolution.

We went out for dinner last night, but I was exhausted so didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.
DD went to bed on Cloud 9, which was lovely. I honestly don’t think she had any perspective before about how far she’s come over the last few years, or how well she’s done, until I told her what some of her old, then top-of-the-class, primary school friends got.

Zevracat, that is the loveliest news! Well done, her! Such a wonderful outcome!

there is so much to catch up on :-)
Well done to those of you who are happy with the results, but sorry to hear about those that aren't especially when you think your child deserved better.

Very sad to read about the so called friend who commisersated - cheeky cow!

My own SIL was similar and said well it's been a hard year, once she does A levels she can prover herself,GCSE will be forgotten about and the're not a bad set of results.

Not a bad set?! Just to clarify DD got
3 x 6s, 3 x 7s and 3 x 8!! bloody brilliant in my book!

Thankfully my side of the family SIL said brilliant and they were very proud of her (as we are).

@LimitIsUp - I have insisted that DD take Core AS Maths as a 4th subject as she did get a 6 (when expecting for 7). She is doing Biology, Psycholoy and PE so will need more maths to help with B & P I feel that she does need to improve on the 6 for Uni (Biology) so seems the ideal solution.

Our school sent the ofqual guidance on appeals, malpractice and maladministration complaints. and made it clear that if you think it's a clerical error please contact the school - ie don't if you're just unhappy with the grade (without actually saying that).

DD finally decided on A level PE to to with Biology & Pyscholoy but the History teacher has said the door is open for her until October if she changes her mind which I thought was good for DD to hear.

Our schools grades aren't great over the last 5 years or so but I am really happy with how the school has supported DD (and me)! They will definitely go that extra mile to help the girls, so I'm pleased DD has decided to stay on.

Roll on 2 weeks time!!

Thanks all for all your words of knowledge and encouragement. Look forward to hearing how you're all doing moving forward..

Sorry to hear of grandparents being less than fully supportive! My mum is a bit of an academic snob and also very competitive. Fortunately for her, dd has results that compare well to her brother's oldest grandchild! It does my head in though, as I always felt inferior to my next brother down (I was one of five) growing up. He was a straight A* Oxford type, so I just couldn't compete.

@Alsoplayspiccolo your dd is giving me hope for my ds, who's just going in to year 10. He was diagnosed with ADHD a year ago, and at the moment I would be happy if he qualifies for A Levels. I'm already doing my research into BTECs etc so that I'm well prepared! It's frustrating as I know that he's just as bright as his sister who got all 8/9s but he just can't get the hang of studying, revising etc and his concentration is terrible. But maybe with a bit of maturity he will get there!

What a lovely bunch you are. Thank you so much for your kind words. She is happy and all registered for History, Psychology and Computer Science. I’m gonna stick with this thread for the Alevel years If that’s ok.

I am also trying to persuade DD to do at least one year of Core Maths to go with Chemistry, Biology and English. She's also doing an EPQ and a lot of volunteering, plus 2 quite major sports commitments, so is resisting the extra course. I am going to ask her head of 6th form what they think .

Car neatly packed and we are going shortly, DS looked at me and said we didn’t need to take everything today. I said I knew that which is why I am leaving his cactus for another time. Withering look from DS 😁

The rest of ds’s Friendship group went out for a meal last night to celebrate. He’d previously been told nothing was planned. Pictures were all over social media. They said only 6 were allowed & he was the 7th.

@DrunkenUnicorn

I’ve been lurking on the threads for the past few weeks.

A mixed bag here. 3 x 7, 4x 6, 3 x5.

One of the 7s was in his favourite subject which he had been predicted an 8 for. He has been told consistently he was on target for an 8 and that a 9 was within reach. It’s a creative subject so had coursework (which I know didn’t count but as evidence..), he got full marks in a practical and almost full marks in the written project so I just cant understand why he dropped a grade. Ultimately he can still do the a level but it is upsetting and is now making him question his relationship with his teacher- why spend two years saying I’m on target for an 8, and then give a 7?

Unfortunately two of the 5s were in subjects he planned to do for a level. One he was just about a 6 for so he can understand a cautious 5.

The other one I am absolutely livid. His mocks gave him a well needed kick up the bum as he got a 4. Unfortunately DS is a classic lazy, coast along until he absolutely HAS to put the work in.

After Christmas he pulled his finger out and at parents evening in February and report in mid March his teacher said he was currently working at a 6, and was on course to exceed his target grade of a 6. So understandably we were expecting a 7. He said he would have been disappointed but accepting of a 6, but a 5...??

When I emailed his teacher to politely ask WTF?!? He’s said they were told by Ofqual to grade over the entire two year period and due to level 4 in yr 10 exam and the yr11 mocks in November, he could not give him a 6 even tho that was his most recent working at grade and he wrote in his report he was looking like he would be heading for a 7. Which is surely a loaf of bollocks?! To be looking at marks over the entire two years and averaging them?! It’s certainly not what his other subjects have done.

The real kicker is that this subject is the key to two a levels- he needed a 6 in this one subject to get into two humanities. To add insult to injury we were not allowed to go into the school, we had to email requesting a call back from the head of 6th, which I did minutes after receiving the results this morning but did not get a call, despite waiting by the phone all day. So we have no idea if he has a 6th form place. Another sleepless night ahead.

Very fed up.

To those who’s kids unexpectedly just missed out on a required grade, have the schools been flexible or stuck to their guns about minimum grades?

Congratulations to all, it’s been a really awful year for them and so unfair.

My DS had a bad set of mocks-unsurprising as he didn't put any work in. He was working very hard from Jan onwards, all his teachers were predicting big increases in his grades through tests etc they were doing. None of them came through in the CAGs.
It is very hard because it isn't the teachers fault having the task of setting the rankings but at the same time if our children knew their result relied on the previous year-it may have pushed them to put the effort in. My DS was upset by his results, but I don't think we can say we were surprised by them. We are looking at doing one of them again, but he only has a short time to pick the books up and work. I like the idea of him sitting an exam to see how hard they are!!

I know it all about timetabling Kingscote but is AS maths over 2 years an option?

He wouldn’t mind but we had all 7 in my parents huge garden the week Prom should have been. Ds said no one was to be left out, even the girl he no longer gets on with.

I don’t know what to say Comefromaway, but the seeing it on SM is proper salt rubbed in wounds