Examination outcomes may be traumatic for all of the household, and this yr is not any exception.
These had been the primary exams taken in a corridor for the reason that pandemic, and this cohort has actually been up towards it, studying the curriculum in a hybrid studying setting.
However Ryan Lockett, director of research at TLC LIVE and former secondary head of yr and affiliate assistant headteacher, has urged mother and father to not panic if their kid’s examination outcomes do not go to plan.
Talking completely to Fabulous, Ryan shares the 5 issues mother and father can do if their baby receives disappointing GCSE grades – and what they will do subsequent to assist.

2

2
Enchantment your kid’s grade
Ryan notes that if any of your kid’s grades are borderline, i.e., a grade 3 verging on a 4 (‘C’ grade), it may very well be price interesting.
“Generally, the college will do that if it’s near the grade boundary,” he explains.
Faculties and faculties will have a look at the factors scored and grade boundaries, so within the first occasion, it’s best to contact the college as they may have this info.
The varsity can request a evaluation of marking in the event that they imagine an error has been made or within the hope that having it marked once more would possibly ‘discover’ that further mark or two wanted.
As a lot because the examination board will insist that markers have been standardised, people can nonetheless make errors.”
Nonetheless, the affiliate assistant headteacher factors out: “Re-marking does value, so faculties will likely be reluctant to pay if it is not near the following grade boundary or, normally, inside 1-2 marks.”


He goes on to say that even when unsuccessful, the college does have a possibility to attraction in the event that they strongly imagine that there’s a marking error.
“Please think about that this is not a silver bullet,” says Ryan. “The grades nonetheless won’t change, nevertheless it is likely to be price making an attempt if it is shut.”
FABULOUS BINGO: Get a £20 bonus & 30 free spins if you spend £10 as we speak
Ship examples of earlier work to your baby’s chosen school
If you happen to’re involved your kid’s grades do not meet the entry requirement for his or her future school or sixth kind, Ryan suggests giving them clear examples of labor associated to their future course, the place they’ve achieved larger grades.
“We beforehand submitted work on behalf of a looked-after baby who hadn’t been awarded a grade as a result of lacking an examination for medical causes,” he explains.
“Consequently, they had been in a position to begin the course and take the examination throughout resits in November.”
Cellphone their school
Ryan says: “Your kid’s chosen school or sixth kind could also be versatile with entry necessities contemplating the disruptions over the past couple of years, so a easy telephone name may probably remedy the problem.”
He factors out that if you will get your baby to make the decision, that;s even higher.
Take a look at different programs
The affiliate assistant headteacher reassures mother and father that there will likely be one other course or qualification your baby can entry.
“Exploring your kid’s choices, particularly earlier than outcomes day, needs to be a high precedence,” he says.
Different programs will possible both be at a decrease degree or have decrease entry necessities.!
Solely think about retaking exams if completely obligatory
Ryan says they solely ever suggest retaking the core topics (maths, English and science) as resits occur throughout time period time, which he warns is “fairly disruptive.”
He continues: ” Until it is a necessary topic, do not sweat a degree 9 if they have a degree 8 – so long as your baby has the minimal grade they should get on to a course, they need to transfer on to the following stage of their tutorial profession.”
As talked about, the one exception is for important topics, as some faculties and sixth varieties make it obligatory to retake maths and English grades lower than 4 (i.e. a ‘C’ grade).”
Ryan goes on to notice that it is at this level that you just would possibly need to think about personal tutoring help.
“In our expertise, we would anticipate a baby requiring as much as ten hours of tutoring to move certainly one of these core exams,” he explains.
If further tuition is not viable, there are different assets – faculties and faculties have entry to programmes and instructing help, akin to the federal government faculty Covid catch-up programmes, funding and NTP, which it’s best to enquire about.”
He concludes: “There was quite a lot of disruption over the previous two years, significantly for younger adults sitting their exams.”
No matter their outcomes, the whole lot will likely be OK – you simply have to help them within the subsequent step.”