Do you have questions about your child’s options following A level results day? Q&A with The National Careers Service - £100 voucher to be won

[JustineBMumsnet]

With uncertainty at a peak surrounding A level results day this year, we’ve partnered with the National Careers Service to bring you an expert careers adviser to help answer your questions about your child’s choices - including apprenticeships, university, internships and more - following their A level results.

Find more information on post-18 options here.

Francesca Cinotti, a qualified Careers Adviser, will be answering your questions. Read on if you’d like to know a bit more about her background: “Francesca is a qualified Careers Adviser, usually covering the Central London area. Francesca has been a part of the National Careers Service London team since 2018 and her areas of expertise include working with customers who are hoping to change careers and helping customers who have been out of work for a long time.”

Post your questions for Francesca on the thread below - she’ll be online to answer questions on results day and periodically in the days following.

Please note the advisers will be giving advice with the education system in England in mind. If you're living elsewhere, any advice given may not be relevant.

All who post on the thread with a question for Francesca will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Have a child awaiting GCSE results? Keep an eye out for our Q&A next week.

Thanks

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

@mrsdeedow

Do you think that exams are outdated now? Should there be another way of testing? I understand the need to show you have gained knowledge but they have always been a burden on those that are not exam minded or have learning difficulties.

Hi @mrsdeedow thanks for your question. All students learn in different ways and you're right, exams are not always the most appropriate method of testing knowledge. We will see an increase in the use of technology within Education in future and it's likely there will also be other changes to how exam content is assessed. For further information on changes to exams next year, please see the following website: www.gov.uk/government/news/exams-and-assessments-in-2021

@Gill81uk

If a student resits in autumn when would they get the results? Does that mean they're being forced into a year out?

Hi @Gill81uk thanks for your question. For those students resitting exams in August, the exam boards have not officially confirmed when the results would be released. It is likely that A Level results may be with students by the end of the year, although this could change if further guidance is released. The student won't be forced into taking a year out. You can contact their chosen university to discuss whether the student still wants to take up their place, or if they would prefer to defer their entry and wait for the results.

@Pelsall116

There is the opportunity to re-sit exams in the autumn, but is it better to settle for a lower grade and an alternative uni place given that anyone re-sitting would have missed the opportunity to start a degree course this academic year; and for that matter, if there is a spike in Covid19 across the country can anyone guarantee that resits would even be possible in the autumn?

Hi @Pelsall116 thanks for your question. There is a possibility of re-sitting exams in the autumn and taking up your place at university this academic year. This can sometimes depend on your course/university and I suggest you contact your chosen university about this for the latest updates. In terms of a spike in Covid19, we are still awaiting further guidance on this.

@MyNameIsHow

What are the options for apprenticeships for those with A levels in the arts?

Hi @MyNameIsHow thanks for your question. This would depend more specifically on the subject, the apprenticeship level and type of industry the individual is looking to get into. You may find the following websites helpful for further information on available options:

www.ucas.com/job-subjects/art
www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-18#apprenticeships

If you would like to discuss career and apprenticeship options in more detail, you are also welcome to book in a 1:1 session with one of us at the National Careers Service: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us

@lauracree89

How will future employers view the results?

Hi @lauracree89 thanks for your question. I can't speak for all employers, however they are likely to consider these results in light of the circumstances and the complexity of the grading model used. They will also be more than likely to take resits into consideration when shortlisting applicants in future.

If the grades stay as they are, how will employers compare the grades of this year's students with those of other years', in future?

@lillypopdaisyduke

Thanks for all of your good advice so far, things are changing so fast, and the govt seem to be backing down re the downgrading of teachers forecasted results, if my daughter does not get her C,C,A, amended (she needed B,B,B to get in to Liverpool. What are the preparations I need to put in place if she re-sat the year, and applied to University again - or would they keep her place open next year if she was to sit again and increase the grades (just want to keep her options open) but financially how will this affect her (student grant etc)

Hi @lillypopdaisyduke thanks for you question. Agreed, things are changing very rapidly! It will depend on the university and the course she is studying, but she should have the possibility of re-sitting her exams in Autumn and taking up her place at university this academic year. Or if she would prefer, she can delay her place for a year and wait for the results. I suggest you contact her chosen university for further clarification and the latest updates on this. For further information on finances, I would contact Student Finance and the Money Advice Service:

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/student-finance

www.gov.uk/student-finance

@alwaysataldi

So... the latest is ...Pupils CAN now use teacher's predicted grades to challenge GCSE and A-Levels results as ministers are accused of doing a 'Sturgeon by the back door' after major U-turn Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation last night revealed U-turn Students can now appeal their A-level and GCSE grades using predicted grades But pupils cannot use mock grades when appealing after Ofqual changed mind It mirrors the move made by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week

What chaos, can you please advise what this means for us, does this mean we wait for new results - this would make such a difference to us if grades were the teachers predicted grades.

Thanks for all of the great advice and weblinks so far,

Hi @alwaysataldi thanks for your question. Things are changing very rapidly and I think we are all still awaiting further guidance on this. All we can do for now is keep an eye out for the updates to follow.

@ally1982

My son is undecided whether to do apprenticeship or not what would you recommend?

Hi @ally1982 thanks for your question. Apprenticeships are a great way to become 'job-ready' as you have the opportunity to gain practical work experience while studying for a relevant qualification. Having said this, this will depend on the type of job/industry you son would like to get into. I would also encourage him to consider his preferred learning style to help him with his decision - vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/

For further information on different career options, please see the following websites:
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-18
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

If your son would like to talk through his career options in more detail, he is also welcome to contact us at the National Careers Service to book in a 1:1 session - nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us

@hwg3141

Won't it be unfair that students from Scotland are given their predicted grades, while English students aren't?

Hi @hwg3141 thanks for your question. As decisions have been made very rapidly and there are currently lots of changes happening, we are still awaiting further guidance on this. Do keep an eye out for any updates to follow.

@baconbap

Is everyone in England getting marked down, or does it vary between schools?

Hi @baconbap thanks for your question. We are awaiting further guidance on this and there will be updates to follow - www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-53804323

@grannybiker

Now that the government has said there will be no charges for appealing the grades given, do you think that will affect the numbers appealing?

Hi @grannybiker thanks for your question. Given the vast amount of students who feel their grades do not reflect their academic ability, it's likely there will be a higher number of students appealing the results.

@mollymoo818

Do you think that students results this year are going to be seen as valid as in previous years?

Hi @mollymoo818 thanks for your question. These results have been standardised due to the mitigating circumstances. They shouldn't reflect any less value than other years for Universities and Employers.

What affect will this have on bursaries/grants available do you think?

Overall school has been marked down, they all worked so hard and feel injustice . How easy is it going to be now gov have made a u turn to get grades that they deserve and still get into Uni when their first/second choice turned them down.

so..... now DS can have the teachers assessed results, A

Now that the government has thankfully u-turned on its algorithmic results, when will the new results be made official. If a University has already turned an applicant down, must they now reconsider based on the revised results? Thanks for your help 😊

@chris8888

If your child wants to re-sit as the grades are lower than expected, but you can`t afford to keep them at home another year what help if any is there. Let me explain, if they are going to Uni they would get their grant, if they were under 18 you would still get child benefit.

Hi @chris8888 thanks for your question. For further help on finances, please see the below websites which may help you:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en
www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/expecting-or-bringing-children/financial-support-parents-and-children
www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/Bringing-up-a-child

@miamonkeys

My grandson has lost motivation, and now feels that he does not want to continue with any education at all, and would rather travel to Africa teaching English. This does not seem like a wise move to me. His parents are backing him in this, though, believing if he wants too, he could go to Uni as an older student. Is that wise, or do you think, education first, and life experiences later?

Hi @miamonkeys thanks for your question. It really depends on what your grandson wants to do in this situation. I would say that it’s important that he feels motivated to attend university when he is ready, as the onus will be on him to manage his time and workload. If he doesn’t feel as ready or motivated to attend university this academic year, he may not get the most out of his course and place there. Life experiences are important for our personal development, skills and in preparing us for future jobs or careers. I would encourage him to think about the type of job he sees himself doing in future and consider whether teaching abroad will help towards achieving this? He may find this website helpful: icould.com/stories/a-level-results-what-now-the-good-the-bad-and-the-cold-feet/

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/applying-to-uni/mature-students-university-guide

He will always have the option to attend university as a mature student or alternatively, he could look into other post-18 options:
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices-at-18

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

@CatCatDog

If appealing still doesn't provide the expected grades, would it be worth taking the exams later this year or would this be too difficult with the amount of work missed? If restarting year 13 is an option, is that sensible?

Hi @CatCatDog thanks for your question. If you are not happy with the appeals process, you do have the option to sit an exam in the autumn term. In terms of restarting year 13, I would speak to your school regarding your options about this. www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2020/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2020

@angela121262

Will there be an extended clearing system this year?

Hi @angela121262 thanks for your question. UCAS will be issuing new advice for students and schools as soon as they are able to make a decision. For further updates on the clearing system, I would contact UCAS once we have received this update. www.ucas.com/clearing-launch www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53810655

@Dan35

If the grades stay as they are, how will employers compare the grades of this year's students with those of other years', in future?

Hi @Dan35 thanks for your question. Employers are likely to consider these results in light of the current circumstances and the complexity of the grading model used. They will also be more than likely to take resits into consideration when shortlisting applicants in future.

Thank you for your time and kind attention - this is what most people have said, but it is good to have the input of professional careers advisors. I am going to show my grandson this article - he will be relieved because I am going to back off a bit, and let him decide. I guess that in this day and age, there are many options for all age groups. Once again, thank you for your advise.

@kelliec

What affect will this have on bursaries/grants available do you think?

Hi @kelliec thanks for your question. There have been a lot of changes over the last few days, so I would suggest you contact UCAS for further updates and also your chosen university: www.ucas.com/finance/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries-academic-excellence-and-merit

@miamonkeys

Thank you for your time and kind attention - this is what most people have said, but it is good to have the input of professional careers advisors. I am going to show my grandson this article - he will be relieved because I am going to back off a bit, and let him decide. I guess that in this day and age, there are many options for all age groups. Once again, thank you for your advise.

Hi @miamonkeys you are very welcome, it's clear you have his best interests at heart, and I'm sure he can see that too. You are right, there are of course many options for individuals who would prefer to work/travel/study at a time or age which best suits them. If you would like any further support, please do let him know he is welcome to contact us at the National Careers Service to talk through his options (now or in future) - nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/contact-us