GCSE Support - the results are in

[SheilaFentiman]

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

Very proud of DC but they got lower than expected/predicted and lower than what they were working to at the end of Year 11. Art ended up miles lower than the teacher thought 2-3 grades lower.
DC still coming to terms with the grades which are still very good, but not expected.

My DD got all 8's and 9's but a 6 in English Lit, which she has never got below an 8 in before. So strange, school want it re-marked so we'll see.

It's worth speaking to the college and finding out what options are available there- even if she's holding a place for the college, it doesn't commit her to actually turning up in September. If it's a viable option, then it might take the pressure off.

Whereas if she leaves it until September, they may have less/no spaces available on the courses she wants to do.

Thank you, the college has an open day tomorrow so we are going to go to that to give her a backup option, just worried she will be forced into going with a backup option because the school will be uncontactable until after the college course already starts.

Just feeling annoyed as I have since found out that other students were able to sort out their options there and then with staff but it was luck of the draw as to what staff member was helping you.

Still, we are going out to celebrate DD1 starting University and DD2's results and will have a good time, and she is off with friends tomorrow night so plenty to distract her from the uncertainties.

DD going for remarks (on advice of school) in music as 1 point off an 8 and also history as 4 marks off a 9. I don't think she can drop enough marks to lower the grades so worth a punt.

English was a bit lower than expected but DDs school are asking for lots of the scripts because the whole cohort got lower than expected apparently. She got 6s so not a disaster although wants to do it for A level so will have to up her exam essay game.

Just as a point of information for those that are trying to get remarks etc.
If you DC has a GCSE with course work (NEA) they should have been given the opportunity to know the teachers marks before they went off for moderation.
If this hasn't happened its a breach of JCQ guidelines and may help you get a remark.

Decided to go for a remark on Eng Lit after speaking to school on the phone. He was 3 marks from next grade so they think it's worth it.

Another AQA English shock here- comfortably on for 8/9- got a 7. Was hoping to do it for A Level and has really shaken her confidence. Now wondering whether to go with one of her higher grade subjects. Have requested the script as it seems so far below her usual performance it’s hard to believe. She also thought the exam went well. I know lots of other parents/ students all reporting the same kind of grade drops at the higher end. Seems really unfair. Does not correspond with other subjects- my daughter now has higher grades for subjects which are not her real forte like science. She’s done really well but this has taken the gloss off it a bit. Frustrated with the whole process. Also got caught up in the A Level storm last week too and feeling quite exhausted by it all.

I asked for a remark or review of 2 of DCs exams as they were 1 and 5 away from tge grade boundary, the exam lead said they'd look into getting the papers back but that remarks and grade changes never happen. I'm so disappointed in school, they've left DC in limbo as they missed the 6th form grade so head of 6th is reviewing whether DC can do the 2 A levels linked to the results below expected (working at 8+ this year and got 5!)

Aqa english Lang question! If anyone can help. DD result print out doesn't have a mark equiv next to the this. The others do so I have been able to check against grade boundaries. Where can we find this info? Can we log online somewhere or do we have to speak to someone. She got a 5, needs a 6 to do her preferred course. If it was nearer to 5 than a 6 we may have to re-think. Oh this is complicated

Out of interest, if there is a course work element, does that get looked at again in a re-mark?
DS got a decent 6 in course work, according to school, but then ended up one mark off a 5 in final grade. Disappointing as has been predicted a 6 all the way.

I've asked the school for a re-mark, though obv not heard yet.

@rainydogday it's a sims issue - it can't cope with the mark and the spoken language. Ask the exams officer for the mark. It exists!!!

No - NEA can only be reviewed as a whole cohort, not at individual level.

AQA English shock here but a good one - was getting 4s all the way through y10&11 including mocks but ended up with 5&6 to everyone's surprise. All his friends got lower than expected.

Makes up for his computer science- predicted 7 (I think) and got a 4 🤦🏻‍♀️

Sorry for being daft, but how do you get to speak to an exams officer?!

My Ds passed maths English and Science not the subjects he was planning for A level . We have been working on an alternative plan . I am greatful if he passed 3 subjects it’s those

Their contact details should be on the school website. If not, contact the main school and ask the email to be forwarded

There does seem to be a pattern across English. Triple science also went down for DS - 6/6/5 went down to 5/5/5 but that's still nowhere near the anomaly that is English Literature.

At the end of the day though this harsh snap back to reality with grade boundaries might have a silver lining. At least he won't be under the illusion he can coast through A levels and therefore may work even harder!

I think everyone’s sheet looks like that- our school also gave us a second sheet of paper with a break down of the marks paper by paper. Did you get this? If not you can definitely request it. Good luck.

Thank you. Can he/we find out what the mark was?
We know what the school said but maybe he was downgraded. If he was, then it all makes a lot more sense.
Could we find this out without a re-mark?
I don't think I can speak to a subject teacher so I am only able to go through our exam office.

@SomersetBrie yes. Ask the exams officer for the unit marks.
As a teacher, I can see all the marks for all my class across all papers. But if you can't get to the teacher, the EO definitely has that information too.

This is not the first time the English results have been an absolute shocker. Back in 2019 they were really low. The English mark schemes are so vague and the exam boards so bloody useless that there is room for massive inconsistencies IMHO.

But if the school didn't adhere to the guidelines then a whole cohort could be remarked.
So it is worth asking your DC if this was offered to them. As they should have been shown the mark and offered a chance to argue it (for want of a better word).

DD got what she needed. Whole cohort low in Spanish and science was a bit odd across the year group. She's got what she needed for 'A' level so not going to ask for reviews.

Can I ask, those who are requesting a marking review, what do you do in the meantime? Dd has no official offers yet, so can't start somewhere else while we wait for the verdict.