Page 33 | Year 11 - 2024/2025: The Results Day Thread

QueenMabby · 2025-08-20T08:16:31+00:00

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

chalkyc2 · 22/08/2025 14:17

mojobrojo · 22/08/2025 14:11

We’ve already had one marking review back (music). Got an extra mark, but needed two to go up a grade.

Wow that was quick!!!!

Cycleaway · 22/08/2025 14:18

SilverSnaffles · 22/08/2025 13:25

Yes, my dd’s had to enrol online yesterday, but has to wait for confirmation of her place. The confirmation of submission said to call them if you don’t hear before 5.00 pm today - nothing so far here. It’s not a very big 6th form either, so it seems a bit OTT, when larger centres managed to confirm places yesterday.

Dd is also really stressed, because she contacted her second choice college’s chatbot yesterday, to ask how she would go about de-registering, as they made them enrol two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the AI bot then took it upon itself to de-register her there and then, so she’s lost her second choice if her school 6th form place doesn’t go ahead. She exceeded her offer by quite a lot, but she’s still stressing, as they’ve had an influx of applications from local high performing private school pupils this year, due to the VAT issue, so there is more competition for places than there has been previously.

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It’s awful isn’t it? We were told we would hear back today, and we’ve now received an email to say it’ll be next Wednesday at the latest! oh and DS is off with cadets this evening and non-contactable for the next week

Poor kids, they’ve worked their hardest and done well and they’re still waiting

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 14:20

Sisublondie · 22/08/2025 13:58

Hey, this was AQA….. I’m sorry your daughter is going through the same….. bloody annoying!…… Yes, my DS initially legged it. It took a lot of persuasion ( and crying and shouting in the car!), to get him to go back inside. His name was already in the school “ Remark” list, so it was just a case of seeing the EO and signing the form, confirming wanting it remarked. Your daughters name is most probably on a similar list….. ( there were quite a lot!)..
Good Luck with that 😺!

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Thanks Sisu. Hers was AQA too. We haven't contacted the school and they certainly haven't contacted us. Not sure what we could gain from it if she ends up with 4/3?? Not even sure how it all works and regret legging it now.

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 22/08/2025 14:26

I'm having to do all the legwork for DD for universities - I can skim a webpage in seconds to see if it's useful, she'll be plodding through every word. So I am building her a spreadsheet with all the information she needs - module options, admissions requirements, size, open day dates etc etc so she can make decisions equipped with the facts. The universities have been more than happy to talk to me - I explain she is ND and will need information presented in a particular way and they are all fine with it. I am a complete dunce at her subject so won't be much of an influence!

I have to admit I've been one narrowing down courses for them - based on what they want - and DH gone to open days -- but my parents came with me back in 90s and it wasn't as unheard of as many MN insist it was.

I have worried I'm too involved but honestly DD1 loving the place and course and doing well - and it's not like I've dicated more narrowed down the overwhelming options so they can pick. Fingers crossed DS has the tools already to help him cope and enjoys the place.

DD2 wants to go but has no idea what she wants to do - which is fine as older two changed subject areas after we started doing open days.

frozendaisy · 22/08/2025 14:42

Cycleaway · 22/08/2025 14:18

It’s awful isn’t it? We were told we would hear back today, and we’ve now received an email to say it’ll be next Wednesday at the latest! oh and DS is off with cadets this evening and non-contactable for the next week

Poor kids, they’ve worked their hardest and done well and they’re still waiting

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This is so unfair because if you need to look at other options places you need to know.

Ratty didn’t really settle until his 6th had emailed yesterday evening confirming a place. He seemed ok, and I think he was, he had the grade requirements, wasn’t changing subjects, then we heard about a friend’s son who wasn’t able to do x2 of his three chosen subjects for a level at school so that sent H off in a spin (unhelpful H) - we had no firm plan B, rightly or wrongly, and regardless of what anyone said the difference in mood afterwards was noticeable.

Next Wednesday seems almost cruel, what exactly are they doing?

frozendaisy · 22/08/2025 14:42

Cycleaway · 22/08/2025 14:18

It’s awful isn’t it? We were told we would hear back today, and we’ve now received an email to say it’ll be next Wednesday at the latest! oh and DS is off with cadets this evening and non-contactable for the next week

Poor kids, they’ve worked their hardest and done well and they’re still waiting

Show quote history

This is so unfair because if you need to look at other options places you need to know.

Ratty didn’t really settle until his 6th had emailed yesterday evening confirming a place. He seemed ok, and I think he was, he had the grade requirements, wasn’t changing subjects, then we heard about a friend’s son who wasn’t able to do x2 of his three chosen subjects for a level at school so that sent H off in a spin (unhelpful H) - we had no firm plan B, rightly or wrongly, and regardless of what anyone said the difference in mood afterwards was noticeable.

Next Wednesday seems almost cruel, what exactly are they doing?

Pinkflower100 · 22/08/2025 14:46

It’s totally unfair. Thing is these kids have to be somewhere. They aren’t supposed to get jobs but be in education / apprenticeships etc yet some are really struggling to get a place somewhere. Not good

Sisublondie · 22/08/2025 14:53

@SilverSnaffles
Hey…… I can’t stop thinking about your DD… has she heard yet???! That is INSANE saying you have to contact if not heard by 5pm! You must be twitching to call! It’s so rubbish that they can’t let you know sooner! So many people were able to enroll yesterday! ..

But, your poor DD must be wanting to scream at that bloody ridiculous Chatbot AI!! You must be furious! Is there any way you can make contact with them ( her second choice) to see what would happen if, god forbid, they were needed? Bloody ridiculous when you are limited to AI bots! 🤯. Yes, I can imagine some institutions are seeing applications increase, due to the VAT. Please keep us all updated, you must be on tenderhooks 😣🙄🤞….

Thank you for what you said about my DS. He had said back in February that he had felt he had “ bonded” with the “ lovely interviewer bloke”! It was so tear jerking when the guy recognised him and went “ Sisu Junior!! Great to see you!! Sit down!!”… so, we sat ( huge, massive Hall), and DS must have summoned all his strength to accept his hand shake and say, in a strong, unwavering, voice “ Thank you for your time at the interview.. I regret to tell you I didn’t make the required grades”…. ( I admit I emitted a strangled blurt of a cry, which I tried to pass off as a cough)… and

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 22/08/2025 14:53

Here the college with it's multiple campuses takes students well into October for sep start courses - though obviously some course needing equipment may be full earlier - but it's surpringly late.

I think unless I was very sure about a place - I'd be looking to see who else had places in area just in case or to phone and ask why there is a sudden delay in place conformation.

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 14:53

I know I've asked Sisu further back about grade boundaries etc so I just emailed the Exams Officer. She replied immediate and said you need to check all grade boundaries yourself then email teacher for that subject to ask if it's worth getting a review. Does this sound right please? Would schools only keep a list of people they want to get reviews for if the child is going back to that school or if the school feels it's in their own best interests? So many questions, my head is pounding.

twistyizzy · 22/08/2025 14:56

SilverSnaffles · 22/08/2025 13:25

Yes, my dd’s had to enrol online yesterday, but has to wait for confirmation of her place. The confirmation of submission said to call them if you don’t hear before 5.00 pm today - nothing so far here. It’s not a very big 6th form either, so it seems a bit OTT, when larger centres managed to confirm places yesterday.

Dd is also really stressed, because she contacted her second choice college’s chatbot yesterday, to ask how she would go about de-registering, as they made them enrol two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the AI bot then took it upon itself to de-register her there and then, so she’s lost her second choice if her school 6th form place doesn’t go ahead. She exceeded her offer by quite a lot, but she’s still stressing, as they’ve had an influx of applications from local high performing private school pupils this year, due to the VAT issue, so there is more competition for places than there has been previously.

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Yep this is being seen across the country. The best state 6th forms are seeing bumper applications due to VAT.
Was predicted and predictable.

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2025 15:00

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 14:53

I know I've asked Sisu further back about grade boundaries etc so I just emailed the Exams Officer. She replied immediate and said you need to check all grade boundaries yourself then email teacher for that subject to ask if it's worth getting a review. Does this sound right please? Would schools only keep a list of people they want to get reviews for if the child is going back to that school or if the school feels it's in their own best interests? So many questions, my head is pounding.

The exams officer wouldn't necessarily know - they have bigger fish to fry than individuals at this point.

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 15:08

Thank you Mrs Hamlet for replying. I wasn't sure if you were supposed to just get reviews if school suggests to or whether it was solely down to us if that makes sense.

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2025 15:12

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 15:08

Thank you Mrs Hamlet for replying. I wasn't sure if you were supposed to just get reviews if school suggests to or whether it was solely down to us if that makes sense.

If I think a paper needs looking at, I contact the student and their parent to ask to see it. Then I'll have a look and advise whether I think a review is likely to be worthwhile.

I can't decide for them but I can give my considered and informed opinion.

I can't have a paper reviewed without the consent of the candidate.

I also can't stop a candidate having their paper reviewed even if I think it's a bad idea.

You (the candidate) can't cut out the school - all reviews have to be requested by the centre on behalf of the candidate.

Does that make sense?

Tiswa · 22/08/2025 15:15

Ours sent a list of grade boundaries and what they consider to be close enough for a review if we wanted it to be usually within 3/4 marks of a boundary

it also depends on whether it is an important one (so it means not doing a resit or achieving a qualifying grade for the subject)

for example DD is 2 marks off a 9 in English Language which though close doesn’t really mean much for her future she doesn’t have to resit and it doesn’t prevent her study

but yes the teacher would be the first port of call - them doing a review is often the first stage

SweatyAugust · 22/08/2025 15:23

Our sixth form needed us to give electronic evidence of grades. We then got a welcome email on Thursday evening. Great as now away so pleased no need to enroll in person.

SB1971 · 22/08/2025 15:23

We got a list of all the grade boundaries band ,a cost matrix and a process with timelines.
All very organised which is very typical of DS’s now ex-school-sad times but there is no 6th form.
I had a look and the only one I would have considered would have been Spanish and he was slap bang in the middle of the boundaries so no point.

i hope those waiting for confirmations will get good news very soon

DataColour · 22/08/2025 15:27

Good luck with those that are getting papers reviewed. Hope it makes a difference.

How's everybody contacting the teachers? There seems to be nobody at my DCs school. Apart from someone in the office I think. I made DS request his FM paper as he got a U in it. I didn't expect amazing results from him for FM but he was getting about a 5 which was about half marks in the practise papers and also in his mock, so a U seems really off. He did say he found it very hard, both papers.
Music was also a disaster. Despite getting 100% in performance and 108/120 for composition he's got a 5 overall. He must have done so badly in the listening paper. Again, he was getting around 50% correct in his practise papers. I thought he'd average out at about a 7, so a 5 is a shock. Is it worth requesting the paper? It's not going to make any difference to him going forward.
I'm pretty disappointed in his results overall.
This talk of ADHD DCs being 3yrs behind is making me feel a bit better as he was diagnosed with it just after his exams. He was very high achieving till a couple of years ago., predicted 7-9s, so I feel he has fallen very short of his potential. Can't help feeling down about it. DS doesnt' seem to care or at least doesn't show it, which is a good thing or bad not sure!

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 15:31

MrsHamlet · 22/08/2025 15:12

If I think a paper needs looking at, I contact the student and their parent to ask to see it. Then I'll have a look and advise whether I think a review is likely to be worthwhile.

I can't decide for them but I can give my considered and informed opinion.

I can't have a paper reviewed without the consent of the candidate.

I also can't stop a candidate having their paper reviewed even if I think it's a bad idea.

You (the candidate) can't cut out the school - all reviews have to be requested by the centre on behalf of the candidate.

Does that make sense?

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Yes that makes sense. Thank you.

Michele09 · 22/08/2025 15:40

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 14:53

I know I've asked Sisu further back about grade boundaries etc so I just emailed the Exams Officer. She replied immediate and said you need to check all grade boundaries yourself then email teacher for that subject to ask if it's worth getting a review. Does this sound right please? Would schools only keep a list of people they want to get reviews for if the child is going back to that school or if the school feels it's in their own best interests? So many questions, my head is pounding.

Our school had no list even though dd is staying on at school. We just looked online at the grade boundaries and saw she was 1 mark off a 7 for English lit. Expected to get an 8 and taking it for A level. We emailed the teacher who told us to forward the paper from the EO. The teacher has recommended a review so we have now paid to do that. Although she can do the A level with a 6 she feels she is good at English and wants a chance at a 7 and not having the worst score in the A level class. She's had a tough few years. After the pandemic in yrs 6 and 7 she was then diagnosed with diabetes in yr 8 so has had to do all her exams coping with managing high and low blood sugar. Even with this she got 9998877766 so would love the 6 to go up to a 7 for her.

BellaI · 22/08/2025 15:47

The school gave us a sheet with all the grade boundary marks for each subject/exam board. Certain envelopes were flagged as needing a further look with the exams officer. My DD’s was flagged for English Lang as border of a 9. They must have been targeting the core subjects and the school pays for the review.
The 6th form entry scramble really ought to be more streamlined, shame the system isn’t more automated like the secondary school offers and Uni places. My DD doesn’t register until Thurs which feels weird but as she’s met entry requirements I’m assuming it’s all sorted.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 22/08/2025 15:54

DataColour · 22/08/2025 15:27

Good luck with those that are getting papers reviewed. Hope it makes a difference.

How's everybody contacting the teachers? There seems to be nobody at my DCs school. Apart from someone in the office I think. I made DS request his FM paper as he got a U in it. I didn't expect amazing results from him for FM but he was getting about a 5 which was about half marks in the practise papers and also in his mock, so a U seems really off. He did say he found it very hard, both papers.
Music was also a disaster. Despite getting 100% in performance and 108/120 for composition he's got a 5 overall. He must have done so badly in the listening paper. Again, he was getting around 50% correct in his practise papers. I thought he'd average out at about a 7, so a 5 is a shock. Is it worth requesting the paper? It's not going to make any difference to him going forward.
I'm pretty disappointed in his results overall.
This talk of ADHD DCs being 3yrs behind is making me feel a bit better as he was diagnosed with it just after his exams. He was very high achieving till a couple of years ago., predicted 7-9s, so I feel he has fallen very short of his potential. Can't help feeling down about it. DS doesnt' seem to care or at least doesn't show it, which is a good thing or bad not sure!

Music is a bugger. We are still in shock over DD's result.

Even if you have 100% in all composition and performance modules you are going into the exam with a barely scraped 4.

Then the essay is very prescriptive. DD came out with a 2 in mocks having scored zero on the essay. All her points were perfectly valid but didn't align with the mark scheme.

With the composition, DD got 100% but none of us are allowed to hear them as she said they are terrible because she had to ruin them by shoehorning in all the elements that the examiners want to see/hear.

It's one of the reasons she never even contemplated A level music. Box ticking is far more important than actual music.

For remarks, our school included a paper with all the grade boundaries, a paper with all the costs and a QR code to access the review request doc.

EmeraldJeanie · 22/08/2025 16:02

My ds doing music tech a level and hope less box ticking than gcse level which he found very frustrating!
He did well but ticking boxes not his strength in music and he struggled with it. His teacher said if he didn't get highest grade (he didn't!) It would not be due to lack of music ability...

Sisublondie · 22/08/2025 16:04

TheFunSponge · 22/08/2025 14:20

Thanks Sisu. Hers was AQA too. We haven't contacted the school and they certainly haven't contacted us. Not sure what we could gain from it if she ends up with 4/3?? Not even sure how it all works and regret legging it now.

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Don’t worry….you still have time to do it now! I was lucky in that I know a few teachers, and the exam officer, so one had come over to see me, so I didn’t have to process the not good results, then figure out what the hell to do…
I would try to find the contact name out and try and get something sent before close of play today.

The benefit for my DS is that he currently has 3 3 for Combined science, which doesn’t count as a GCSE. So, if he gets at least an extra point, my understanding is that the mark will go to a 4 3, which would count as a GCSE.
I have no idea how many more marks would be needed for a 4 4, tho!

Good luck in contacting someone..🤞…

Sisublondie · 22/08/2025 16:13

Sisublondie · 22/08/2025 14:53

@SilverSnaffles
Hey…… I can’t stop thinking about your DD… has she heard yet???! That is INSANE saying you have to contact if not heard by 5pm! You must be twitching to call! It’s so rubbish that they can’t let you know sooner! So many people were able to enroll yesterday! ..

But, your poor DD must be wanting to scream at that bloody ridiculous Chatbot AI!! You must be furious! Is there any way you can make contact with them ( her second choice) to see what would happen if, god forbid, they were needed? Bloody ridiculous when you are limited to AI bots! 🤯. Yes, I can imagine some institutions are seeing applications increase, due to the VAT. Please keep us all updated, you must be on tenderhooks 😣🙄🤞….

Thank you for what you said about my DS. He had said back in February that he had felt he had “ bonded” with the “ lovely interviewer bloke”! It was so tear jerking when the guy recognised him and went “ Sisu Junior!! Great to see you!! Sit down!!”… so, we sat ( huge, massive Hall), and DS must have summoned all his strength to accept his hand shake and say, in a strong, unwavering, voice “ Thank you for your time at the interview.. I regret to tell you I didn’t make the required grades”…. ( I admit I emitted a strangled blurt of a cry, which I tried to pass off as a cough)… and

… the ending got lost 🤷‍♀️😹! Anyway. He’s on the course provisionally… so…

I’m sure we have chatted about your DS1 before…what an absolute inspiration he is!
After a hateful time at his job, which must have eaten you up, wanting to protect him, how very proud you must be now, ex-President and going off for his second Uni year!!

Anyway! I don’t know if I’ve missed any update since I posted earlier… and news from DDcollege?

And…….. how is the laundry going??!! Are the itches gone?! Have you catnapped next doors, and popped some of that First whatever it’s called flea ointment on it?! How is your teeny little angel?! ( I confess, my little toy 🐩s…. their beds downstairs ceased to be used way back )!
Awful timing for you, so good luck with that, too! 😺