Y11 2025-26 Final exams are here. Now we wait….

[UncomfortableSilence]

New thread for all things Y11, did they cook or are they cooked. We will find out in 10 weeks😉

DD got her predicted in both Eng lit and Eng lang. AQA. She was 1 mark off an 8 in Lang, which was the same as DD1 two years ago - we got it remarked then and it made no difference so I don't think we'll bother this time. It's not necessary for 6th form or potentially university so I don't think it's worth angsting about.

Tbh, I don’t think there’s necessarily a weakness in the system. It’s generally very rigorous. It’s just how it’s worked out this year.

One of my DD’s Lit papers seems very low compared to her other one, and her mocks. But I’m not even going to ask to see the paper - she got a 7, she got what she needs for college, she doesn’t want to go to a top top uni. So I feel like pursuing a remark etc almost reinforces the idea (to dd) that a 7 is not good enough. When it is fantastic!

Wow. Interesting that everyone who seems to be disappointed in English did AQA.

We'll ask for the papers back and check if there's anything glaringly obvious, but won't be getting any re-marks unless there's something massive.

AQA is the biggest board by a mile for GCSE English so I wouldn't read too much into that.

I think in my daughter's school some teachers were much harsher markers than others, which in hindsight was a very good thing.

My daughter's English teacher was a very harsh marker, so it was a huge shock for us that she got a 9 in English Language and an 8 in English Lit, as those marks were not even on our radar given her mocks/tests results.

On the other hand, she was consistently getting 8/9s in her Biology tests/mocks and even a reward for being top in Biology in the year group. But we now realise those marks were inflated and the mocks marked very leniently and not strictly according to the mark scheme, which helps no one as it gives a false sense of security.

AQA has the largest cohort for English nationally though, so that's partly why.

Definitely also feeling wiped out and tired here. Less than 2 weeks until he starts sixth form - I need to order some uniform now (seemed like tempting fate to do it earlier). We do have a weekend away with parents in law right at the end of the holiday so hopefully that will finish the summer off nicely.
Impressed at the sixth forms that have confirmed places and sent work since results! Ours seems to be taking a relaxed approach of - just turn up and enrol in September which on the one hand means I still have to tell myself firmly that I know what he needed and DS definitely did get that which is driving me slightly crazy. Probably just me being a bit paranoid though.

DS has been to college to enrol. He has his student ID, lanyard and timetable and starts 9am on the 1st September which all of a sudden seems very close after the seemingly never ending summer.

Gosh that’s an early start!! Dd is staying at school and doesn’t start back until 7th. No timetable yet though.

After 2 years of solid moaning from DS about the uselessness of English Lit, he flabbergasted us all today by saying how much he loved it. I have dragged him to every interpretation of Macbeth, An Inspector Calls and A Christmas Carol so glad it paid off, even if he was less than enthusiastic at the time!

He got a 6 in AQA English Language, which was his lowest grade and a bit of a surprise. He doesn't care though and he doesn't need anything more than that so has shrugged it off.

Bus pass won't be sorted until he has a student ID. His first day is a Wednesday so it's only 3 days of paying for a return ticket.

Need advice guys. DS had a hell of a time at his school not providing what was required for his visual impairment even during the exams. It has knocked him for 6, his results are lower then he was predicted, he passed all but just not good enough. He can no longer do maths or physics as only got 6s and need 7s to do this subjects but can still do 6th form which he finds pointless as these were his main subjects. He is now looking at doing a T-level course in accounting. Im worried he is settling for all he thinks he can do, he is autistic so we barely can get a conversation to discuss how he feels its just a shrug. I feel so sorry for him. The school screwed him over terribly

I remember you posting about it at the time @Neko2026. It's awful, both the way he was treated and the impact on his results. You must be so heartbroken for him and angry with the school.

Have you spoken to the sixth form about the situation? They may be open to considering allowing him to enroll in his chosen subjects of the reason he didn't get the required 7 was because of the school's failure to provide the right equipment for the exams.

I remember you telling us about the school messing up his equipment. I'm so sorry he hasn't achieved what he wanted and needed. Are there no colleges nearby he can do A levels with 6s? The local college near us lets us do A levels with 5s. Or can you have a conversation with the one that needs 7s and explain the situation? The thing with T levels is they force you to specialise early so does he actually want to be an accountant? If he does then a T level could be a very good choice but if he doesn't then I wouldn't recommend it. There are science based T levels if he is more into science.

Also solidarity from another mother of an autistic teen who communcates mostly in shrugs I know how difficult is to have an actual discussion about anything.

He is literally one mark off the 7 for maths so we requested the remarking but they said they cant put him on the course as currently he is a 6. Its been horrid, he hates the school so we applied for somewhere else for 6th form and they obviously can't go on just what we say. He looked so defeated today. The old school put him on a further maths course as they expected him to do so well, it was an after school session the teachers kept cancelling. He got a U! So did most of the others, this is how bad the school is.
He has never shown an interest in accounting, im worried he just taking the first course he can.

I am SO sorry @Neko2026I also remember the awful way the school treated your DS. I have an autistic DD and I am just gutted for you and for your DS. What is wrong with these useless schools not doing what they should to provide genuinely needed support. No care whatsoever.

Ah thanks. I didn't know that! Makes sense

Thanks guys, its hard as DH is autistic too so he finds it hard to discuss these things and leaves me to it. I want him happy and to do a course he wants to do, he has his heart set on university, he wanted to do engineering but now its suddenly accountacy. I tried to get him to look at the engineering T-level but it seems to me he is counting it out as involves practical in the workshop which he feels he cant do because of his vision. And after being failed with assistance he doesnt want to rely on help

Sorry, this all sounds so hard and so unfair.

Would it reassure him to know that accessibility requirements are built into the legal framework for T Levels? See below:

https://employers.tlevels.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/4403442982162-Specific-requirements-in-the-Engineering-and-Manufacturing-skill-area

Thats great! I will send him the link! Im panicking I think as I know if he not happy he just stays quiet and carries on and I dont want that with this choice. He has a meeting at the college on Tuesday and typically im working away so his dad is going who bless him wont ask questions etc. I am instructing dad to discuss with him what options they can offer and check he is happy with his choice. Both my elder 2 dropped out of higher education, they both happy with jobs they happy in so I know things will work out whatever but I feel he needs to catch a break after the last 2 years

non of our options will allow 2 science As with no 7

@Neko2026 I'm so sorry that's just incredibly frustrating. The school have been appalling.

DS has come down and said he's annoyed about the 5 in english lit and he knows he did better than a 5. He doesn't want a remark though.

Not necessarily practical help but inspirational. I had a partially sighted (with a guide dog) student at post graduate level in a design subject last year. Successful and high profile as well as very proactive in campaigning for equal access and disability rights. If of interest you can dm for some links

We were 6666665544
can’t do exactly what wanted but doing two As and a BTEC which will prob suit anyway. Just need to decide where as not all options will accept a 4 in Eng. We are all upset much lower than predicted but hopefully all will turn out fine

My daughter was so happy! She never thought she would see a grade 9 and got two in English Language and English Literature!
Thank goodness she also got her 6 in Biology so she can study Psycology!
Well done tp everyone 🥳🥳

@Funkylights hope the upset is dissipating
@Neko2026 I am frustrated on your behalf. Hoping you can find a sixth form or college that will support him better for the next stage and that he can do the course he wants to rather than the one he feels he has go to.

there are many flaws with the education system and getting the results you were not expecting, then having to process this, then having to look at alternatives and decide in such a short time is not easy and is one of the parts I think should be improved.