Year 11 - 2024/2025: The Results Day Thread

[QueenMabby]

New thread for results day. Deep breaths. We can do this!

Thanks everyone he’s just out for a bike ride so will get him to email examinations officer for Eng Lang scripts when he gets back and if English teachers could look over please

Yep. Possibly within hours.

Thank you! 🙏
That's just it, so much strain, so much putting on a brave face, showing endless patience.
Then the dam burst last night.

Just read the thread, well done to everyone’s DCs and sympathies to those who are struggling. Very interesting re English Lit, DS also got a 6 when predicted a 8/9, so think I’ll ask school to review the papers (thanks @MrsHamlet for all your input in the thread!).

I don’t think I’ve seen any comments re computer science this year. Seems to have been a tough year (AQA), interested to know if that’s others’ experience? DS got a 6 and he was predicted a 7/8 - his friends did similarly. It’s one of his A’ level subjects. Anyone else?

They don't have them, but they can download them on request.

@stickygotstuck
We had similar with dd earlier this year and then again last month...
She also decided on a local school 6th form because it was nearer home (we don't have any post 16 provision where we live..) and A levels are just extended gcses in her view.
She point blank refused to discuss any other option/plan b (terrified of the future/choices/getting it wrong..)
Well...she HATED the taster day. She was bereft.
But, she's 17 soon and just done with school. She didnt have the best time in y7/8/9 and there was lots of frenemy drama, too.
I think 🤞 that the FE btec college route is best for her.
My dh did an apprenticeship at 16, HNDs, then BTECS, then a degree.
He's a company director now :)

@Rollercoasteryears
Re: comp sci - I know that our local school has had pretty poor results (when based on mocks) for the past few years.
It seems one of those subjects that its very hard to get the marks for the higher grades

@stickygotstuckwe are in a similar situation and the new college told us to enrol everywhere and see what offers they make for alternative courses.
Sympathies with the decision paralysis and thanks for the new term for it. My autistic son struggles with this for every decision and I know it's hard for him, but for me too!! Good luck new college sounds worth a punt!

Oh wow @MrsHamlet, DD emailed consent yesterday although the EO said we could bring consent in September so I sensed no urgency.

We haven't heard back from the subject teacher or subject head so no idea if they will look at script before September when DD will be at another setting anyway...

College enrollment today. DS didn't get the grades he needs for L3 course and will need to resit maths. They made a big deal about kids going without a parent so he has to navigate this himself, talk through the options with tutors who've never met him. I'll be close by if he really needs me (he's AuADHD) but I'm hoping he can take ownership of the conversation. Wish us luck.

There is no rush - the deadline for asking for reviews is towards the end of September.

Thank you @swampwitch0 and @chipshopElvis (love the name!), and sorry to hear your DC have struggled as well.

On days like this, I long for a more standard child, however wrong that sounds🙈. She's lovely but I often feel out of my depth with her.

The college does sound good. I think at the very least we should go to the appointment. They are supposed to have a SEN team supporting kids like DD today.

Just want to send you a solidarity hug - my DD (not doing GCSEs yet) has ADHD and I can imagine the meltdown and the scene.

Thanks for the solidarity @Trixibell1234 .

Here's hoping your DD bypasses this particular issue!

Oh my how I hate the exam system. My DS got reasonable grades. Enough to do the A-levels he choose but he thought he would have scored higher in AQA English language and was so upset and feels ashamed I think. It doesn't matter re his A-levels but for his mental health I might ask teacher to call for the paper. I think if he knew that his teacher thought he should have got higher it might ease things.

I saw lots on this thread about AQA ISSUES - does anyone know any details about it?

AQA is by far the biggest board. That's why these appear to be AQA issues, to be honest.

My school is Eduqas for English and we have some issues we are looking into.

DD also has some friends who have underperformed in English lit or English language by up to 3 grades. There seems to be no consistency.
Do some kids retake English language if they get a 4/5 but were predicted a 7-9? Is that actually a thing now? I guess English lit is harder to retake as you have to relearn the quotes, but English language can be retaken in the autumn?

Anybody experiencing issues with RPE?

DD predicted a 8, got a 5. The least of our worries today but it does seem odd.

I mean if a child is predicted a 9 but gets a 4, somehow surely something is completely wrong in the system and there should be an actual remark of the paper? Especially in a subjective subject.

Only English and maths have a November sitting. It's always a mix of candidates aiming for the 4 or the 9.

You get a teacher to look. Maybe they failed to answer question 5 or had a complete wobbly.
If teacher thinks clearly higher, then a 'review' would hopefully agree and put them in higher marking bands and marks go up.
But if a question was 1 or 2 marks different in the same band that wouldn't get moved as subjective.
Is my understanding.

But who would know that apart from the centre?

Examiners mark what's in front of them. We know nothing about that person apart from what they write.

@MrsHamlet - DD’s friend I am thinking about got a 9 in English lit and a 9 in History I think so I am going to assume she writes well and is capable. If you get a 9 in History then presumably your persuasive writing is good.
She has no additional needs. She got a low grade in English language - far off her prediction. Yes, of course, could just be a complete off day/missed questions nor do I think it should really matter. But I think the kid is upset as she wanted to do something like History, English and Spanish at A level and is now second guessing her choices - at least that is what DD tells me. She is in a right panic about it and all because of a random low grade in English language. I reckon she should just retake it. What is the point of remarking if it is so off and the boards are unlikely to go up much.

Congratulations to all and hope places get sorted soon.

Very relieved here that DS (ASC) is allowed to stay at his school 6th form. He was 3 marks from a 4 in maths so they are looking at his script. Otherwise they will let him resit in November and we have a tutor lined up. Would be cheaper to pay the £130 for a marking review but not sure it’s likely in maths and for 3 marks. Not a surprised didn’t pass as he got 2 in last mock as he massively panics - so close though!

He did so well in his other subjects. He’s only ever got 2-6 in mocks but achieved 987654433 which is amazing. Very proud.

I mark RPE...ask for a review. It's so subjective and v hard to standardise.