GCSE Support - the results are in

[SheilaFentiman]

Continuing the threads we had going during revision and waiting for results day!

When ds collected his results on Thursday, he was asked to sign to give school permission to request his scripts back and for them to ask for a review of any results close to the next boundary. He was one mark off a higher grade in one subject and 3 marks off in another. Neither he or we are bothered about a review as his grades were good and more than enough to get him in to sixth form. Do some schools request the reviews themselves?

Ah that explains it then 👍🏻

@HippyChickMama they can, but not with the consent of the candidate

When ds collected his results on Thursday, he was asked to sign to give school permission to request his scripts back and for them to ask for a review of any results close to the next boundary. He was one mark off a higher grade in one subject and 3 marks off in another. Neither he or we are bothered about a review as his grades were good and more than enough to get him in to sixth form. Do some schools request the reviews themselves?

I find this a bit odd, is the school private because why would a state school be wasting precious money on this? DD was one mark off a 7 in maths and 3 marks off a 9 for Eng lit but so what, she doesn't need a higher mark for what she wants to do.

I suspect it might be generic form so they don't have to chase individuals

Not a private school, it's an academy though if that makes any difference. Ds went in on his own so we weren't privy to the conversation, he could have been signing anything! As I said, it makes no difference really, maybe they'll just review the scripts and offer us the option if they feel there's a chance of a higher grade?

My DS got a 7, was predicted a strong 8 and got an 8 in mocks. He is 3 marks off an 8. He is also 1 mark off a 9 and 2 marks off an 8 in 2 other subjects. We have asked for the scripts. Just to say I do have twins.

That’s interesting, our school is a high achieving academy and couldn’t be less interested.

IME it’s very difficult now to get a grade changed through a review of marking. I think it’s since it changed from a remark to a review of marking but could be wrong.
My DS was one mark off a grade that would have got him into his dream prestigious top Uni. We had all papers reviewed but the grade didn’t change and the uni wouldn’t take him.
Good luck to everyone who is having papers reviewed.

@Sadtimes1 it is more difficult because we're no longer actively looking to move marks up. It's also because there's no longer grade protection so marks can go down

@Sweetpeasaremadeforbees why would a state school be wasting precious money on this?

Because Progress 8 and attainment are important metrics for them both in terms of Ofsted and because that is often one of the things parents look for when choosing a school.

Dd also signed a form as did all her year, normal state comp. It was to allow the school to acess scripts for review and exemplar answers. So they use it to inform teaching for future years by looking at grade nines ( she has 3) and papers where things went wrong English lit whole year down , 5 from a 7! Dot assume it would be checked in time for a review unless you ask. We aren't as she's quite a few marks off next grade in the subjects that matter and English language was a 7

Just been into school for DD to give consent for her English Language to be remarked. Two marks off a 4, so important if she wants to avoid having to resit. School emailed us on Thursday afternoon to offer to pay. I’ve told her not to get her hopes up.

I’ve also asked about reviewing her PE and Geography - one mark off a 7 and a 4 - but the exams officer and subject staff aren’t available until 4 September now.

She’s got college enrolment on Thursday and should still be able to do her preferred subjects but might swap A-level business for the ctec applied business which I think will suit her better.

Just be aware that some colleges will not now allow a resit of English alongside A level or level 3. This has happened to my son, he has passed other GCSE’s incl maths, but the college have refused to take him on level 3 gaming/media course with a resit of English alongside. He is now having to do another level 2 with an English resit.
I really hope that your college is more understanding and that your daughter gets to do her preferred courses.

@Sadtimes1 Have you looked at shopping around in terms of colleges/Sixth Form? Whilst there will be some who won’t allow a level three course, lots would.

I appreciate not everyone lives in an area where there’s much choice post-16, but if you are somewhere where there are other options it may be worth trying elsewhere.

If he’s got a decent clutch of 4s, including maths then he shouldn’t really need the extra year. The cynic in me thinks it’s about the extra year of funding more than him not being suitable for level three.

That’s such a shame for your son @Sadtimes1 but hopefully he’ll get to do his preferred courses eventually.

Luckily DD’s college (large sixth form college not attached to a school) have said English resit is fine alongside A-level and level 3 btecs. We also looked at level 3 btec courses with another FE college that would allow her to resit English alongside.

We only have one other college which I haven’t looked at as they don’t do his specific course. I am really upset as the college have said that the rules have changed and it is no longer possible. My friend's son did his English resit alongside his level 3 only a couple of years ago. I am not really sure where we go from here, he has passed some GCSE’s and achieved 5’s in Maths and Science.

I'm sorry @Sadtimes1 That sounds so tough. For the record, if my DD achieved a 5 in Maths and/or Science I'd be over the moon! Wishing your DS lots of luck.

Thank you so much for your kind words. He tried so hard, still feels like he’s failed because of the course. Oh well onward and upward!

@Sadtimes1
My son is in exactly same position . He passed 4 subjects incl eng lang with a 6 but failed maths by 3 marks. His college have offered a L2 course plus math retake. He has asd and really struggled with exams he is doing esports at college

@Sadtimes1 yep, indeed. It's the only direction to go! 🙂

So we're not really getting anyway this end.

Nobody is getting back to DD or me. Are any teachers/school staff replying? How are we supposed to get anything secured without any communication?

I emailed DD’s school on Friday asking for her raw mark in English language. It doesn’t have an impact on what she would like to do next so am not fussed about waiting until next week. But if it did then I think I would be trying to phone. Am not sure who is working in schools this week. Am guessing someone is because they are updating social media today.

Oh wow, I am really sorry to hear that you are in the same position. Your son did brilliantly to get a 6! My son a waiting list for assessment for ADHD/ASD. I hope that you don’t mind me asking but is your son doing level 2 esports? That was the subject my son had his heart set on for level 3.

Our school don’t seem to be answering emails or sending scripts. The colleges seem to be open here. I hope that you get through to them soon and you can get something sorted. Good luck to your DD, these kids have had such a tough time especially with the grade boundaries this year.