What to do if DD doesn't get the grades she needs?

[flexiblebenefit]

DD2 is getting her GCSE results on Thursday. For context she had a terrible lockdown- went into it right as we were trying to tackle her significant mental health problems (anorexia, self harm, depression). We eventually also got an ADHD diagnosis but it took a long time to stabilise the medication. Basically year 1 of GCSEs with online learning in the middle of this chaos were a disaster.

I'm incredibly proud oh her. She's now a healthy weight, and the adhd meds really assisted her in school which in turn helped her self esteem and improved the depression. She's a different person. However.... there was a mountain to climb with her GCSEs and I don't think she will have got there.

She sat IGCSE History so got the results early last Thurs. She hated history and her teacher was very dry and just provided vast chunks of text to learn which she struggled hugely with. She basically had to start the course from scratch about a month before the gcse once I realised how bad her history knowledge was. However she worked very hard (ADHD focus!) but only for about 6 days in total. She got a 5.

Her school want a min 6 grade 6 grades for 6th form. She is dreadful at maths (really a 5 would be the best we can hope for) and not great at Chem and biology so it's very touch and go if she'll manage this.

She has another offer for a different school of 8 grade 5 and above with 6s in the A level subjects. Again, very touch and go.

I while ago I suggested looking at other options (Betec/ apprenticeship) but she got very anxious. She's a lot better but really wants the security of her current school. She'll do ok at A level- she's good enough at the subjects she wants to take so that doesn't concern me once she's in.

My question is- if she doesn't get the grades for either school what's the process? Do we just phone round other schools and hope for the best?

Would resist be looked on poorly by HE/ employers in the future?

I'm absolutely terrified for her. I'm so worried this will cause a relapse/ cause her to spiral. I know we need a plan but have no idea what that plan should be and DD won't discuss it without getting anxious.

Have you thought about home education? If she is bright she could even study alone or you could enroll her on an online programme.
she can then work at her own pace and you will probably find she flies if she is bright.

DS has autism and ADHD - struggled massively in school. His needs prevented him from learning and he was miserable.

He left school at the end of Y10 with predictions of only 1 pass!

He sat IGCSEs privately (there are centers where HE kids can take their exams) and got all 8s and 9s.

Most importantly he is happy. Has also acquired great independent study skills.

Maybe an option worth thinking about.

I agree with those who say those requirements are relatively high - as in, the need to have that number of grade 6s.

Asking for a 6 (or a 7 for some subjects such as maths or MFL) in the chosen A level subjects is standard; but a whole series of 6s, less so IME.

My DCs' school (as an example) just asked for a 4 in maths and Eng lang and then a 6 in the chosen subjects. Even then there was some flexibility.

It's getting late in the day to ask the school about flexibility esp bearing in mind your DD's medical history, but I would hope they would offer it; and if they would not, I would certainly be less enthusiastic about her staying there, tho I do hear your good reasons for wanting that.

Certainly I would pull a list together and see if you can contact and local possible places tomorrow to see what there is.

Thanks to everyone for their advice. If anyones still watching she got one 8, 2 sevens, 1 six, 2 fives and 2 fours.

8s and 7s in A level subjects.

Sadly a 4 in maths.

She missed the next higher grade for FOUR subjects by 1-2 marks so I'm wondering about paying for remarks.

However- school are letting her in after a conversation tomorrow about resitting maths 😃
Good news. In context she got between 8-20% in her end of year 10 exams before we got the ADHD stabilised so she's amazing

@flexiblebenefit
Im really pleased for you both

Another vote here for applying for an EHCNA (and going to appeal if necessary). Please don't be put off by the school saying she won't get one - it's very common for teachers to say that, but it doesn't mean it's true! You can get good advice on the IPSEA website, or the SEN board - or you are welcome to PM me.

Well done to your daughter I’m so pleased and wish her lots of luck with her future studies

OP massive well done to your DD and I am glad her school of choice have accepted her.

I would push back on the maths retake tho - assuming she is not planning to take maths A level or anything mathsy (psychology, biology) I can't see the point of wasting time and effort retaking when she has got a perfectly acceptable pass grade. But anyway, she has done really well in a challenging situation and should be proud.

As a fellow parent with DD with ADHD just embrace the positives. We caught it a bit earlier but expect an uphill battle re help as it's masked so teachers don't realise the struggles