GCSE Support - the results are in

[SheilaFentiman]

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

I guess they may consider that she was only 2 marks away? I don't know how strict they are with these things. I wonder if the college would still accept her.

Great results for DS, all at least 2 grades higher than predicted! Particularly pleased with English Language - was borderline 3/4 and got a 6! So very proud of him.

Yes. We get the scripts back for anyone who needs to do an English or maths resit, for example, so that their teacher can look through it and work out what to focus on. We also ask permission to get access scripts of grade 9s so that we can mine them for exemplar answers and get a sense of what was rewarded highly.

All her other subjects were spot on so I don't think that's true. Definitely appears something has gone wrong with English nationwide.

So delighted for DD: A* across the board. Cant really discuss irl so please forgive the annoying brag but am so so proud. She’s had a rough couple of years but worked really hard.

Wow, exceptional results. Well done to your dd. X

Whats she going on to do? She could literally pick any subjects!

As a science teacher. I'd recommend against it. The ones that just scrape in generally do very badly at A-level. It's a massive step up in difficulty.

DD got a 9 in Lang and an 8 (2 marks short of a 9) in lit and I do wonder whether the fact that her teacher also marks GCSE papers made him really on the ball when it comes to knowing exactly what is required to get the top grades.

I am an English GCSE examiner as well, but my Lit results were also lower than Lang... some surprising marks.

Thank you!! She really put in the hard graft and I’m just really glad it paid off for her x

For a levels she’ll do maths, further maths, physics and French. She’s staying on at her state comp so didn’t have any stress about next year to contend with today thankfully - is leaning towards engineering at uni x

I guess I'm thinking along these lines. The school suggested it might be worth it. We are looking at other A Level options but it's difficult to completely change direction...there's so little time to weigh everything up.

@Neddevine my DS chose physics at A level as he enjoyed the subject, he was a 6 at GCSE. He also got 6 in maths GCSE but didn’t do homework and was generally lazy. He worked hard at his Physics A level and had good teachers but only got a C.

Consider what grade is needed at A level for the degree at University he is thinking of. He may have to accept that a high 5 at GCSE indicates he is not suited for a physics A level. What did he get at maths? If it’s an 9/8 then maybe he is suited. If not then I think he needs to look at other A levels. I am not a teacher just a parent of 3 who has been through this.

You may think that fighting for him to sit A level physics is a win but ( having done this myself) the truth is if he isn’t getting an 8/9 then it’s not his thing.

Hmm, interesting hearing that others are in this boat with English results. DD did very well in all her exams and pretty much spot-on her predictions (including a 9 in Lit), except for Lang where she got a 5. Looking at the breakdown of her papers, she got an 8 for one and a 3 for creative writing, which is what's dragged her down so far. Bizarre to say the least - I am thinking of her future Uni applications where they look at her English and Maths grades and it suddenly (and very uncharacteristically) looks as though she has just barely managed GCSE English.

We are asking for a review and I'd like to see the paper, as it just all sounds so strange.

Seems very strange with the English!
Luckily we are the other way around where he did so much better than expected. Up 3 grades in Eng Lit and 3 in Lang from mocks!
Went from grade 2/4 to 5/7. Totally unexpected!

Yes I'm worried he could struggle...but also trying to consider all options. Will give it more thought...but might still ask for a review/remark as it's very unlikely that he would go down in grade. Will sleep on it..today has been quite full-on!

@RayonSunrise yes, very odd and definitely worth a review. Like your DD, mine was also pretty spot on for her predictions for every other subject. The marking seems v odd and inconsistent. I hope we'll hear more from DDs teacher once he's got the papers back. He seemed baffled. He'd seen the expected number of 9s, 8s, 7s, 6s etc but none attached to the kids predicted those grades. It was all jumbled up.

@Neddevine no harm in a remark if it bumps him up a grade and going down a grade is highly unlikely, but studying at A level is a whole different thing. Scraping a 6 or even a 7 at GCSE does not sound like an A/B at A levels in my experience. All the best.

I've seen a lot on social media about how to get high grades in English by using a set template and very structured ways to achieve the marks and all I can think of is that in the marking they were looking for something abit different this year? Something not so trained if that makes sense?

yes

I would echo the physics advice - DS got A* at GCSE and struggled with the A level, it's much much harder and he found it a real slog. It soon cured him of his ambition to do physics at uni, he abandoned stem altogether for a humanities subject.

Anyone with maths woes who is looking for a tutor, DM me if you want a recommendation, someone excellent for GCSE / A level / functional skills (I also do a bit of maths tutoring but it's not me, she's much better! Especially with people who struggle.)

Out of touch but am thinking ahead to uni... would appreciate those with recent uni entrance experience...

DS had a right mixed bag which averages around the 5, though with 7+ in maths & sciences (and corresponding shockers the other end... also science related subjects - go figure?!?!). I think the distinct 'averageness' of his average is going to probably wipe out 'good' traditional uni courses (I'm thinking things like, Engineering at Bath/Bristol/Exeter)? Is that a fair assumption?

I did AS levels as 1st year of A levels which could go down on the UCAS form which would buoy things up if they did well, but am I right in thinking these don't happen now? (the college only talks of A levels)

Thanks for any thoughts :)

We didn't have the results DD wanted. After the initial tears and a movie out with me she has cheered up bless her.
We are left with very little choice though.
A back up school has offered 3 A levels of geography, business and politics.
She wanted to do Maths and economics.
We are hoping her current school will give her those tomorrow.
After reading posts here, I worry she will struggle with A level maths. I don't want her to make a wrong choice but she is not happy when I tell her she will struggle at A levels. She thinks she can only go up from here as she has had a shock and will work really hard. I doubt that!
She got 6 in higher maths.
Any advice from teachers here?

@noblegiraffe can I ask you about further maths?
(This isn't a boasty post & apologies if it sounds that way)
DS was 1 mark off a 9 in FM. Is it worth asking for a review? I know it doesn't affect him for a level choices but with it being so close I feel that FM is a subject that an extra mark could be found?

Honestly?
Not much point doing maths or FM without an 8 or 9 at gcse