GCSE Results Day

GCSE results day: Here’s what to do if your child misses the mark

Today’s the big day and emotions are running very high. We’ve got all our fingers and toes crossed for you and your family, but if things don’t go to plan, don’t despair. Here are our top tips to get you through what could be a highly stressful time and help your child turn their fortunes around.

This year almost all GCSEs were examined in the 9 - 1 style, which are tougher and aimed at challenging even the most academically gifted pupils, so it’s understandable if your child didn’t get the grades they were aiming for.

And it really isn’t too late to do something about it, but whatever you do, make sure you think ahead beyond the sixth form to university applications.

It might seem pre-mature to discuss this now, but most universities take into consideration GCSE as well as A-level results so don’t let your kid’s GCSE results let them down two years down the line. GCSE qualifications really are the foundations of your children’s future study and possibly even employment.

So, if your child misses the mark today, here are our tips to help you get through the coming days, weeks and months.

Speak to your child’s teachers

If today brings tears and anguish, the first thing you should do is speak to your child’s teachers.

They have plenty of experience of this and can offer advice on next steps whether it’s asking for a remark of the exam or coursework, appealing the grade, retaking the exams or even looking at other A-level courses or forms of higher education.

Ask for a remark of the exams

Only go down this route if you are confident that the marker made a mistake as once remarked, the grade could go up as well as down.

The request must be submitted by your school on your behalf, so talk to your child’s teachers as soon as possible. The deadline for enquires about results is Thursday, September 19, 2019.

If your child’s place in sixth-form is dependent on the mark, then they may let your child start studying with them whilst you await the results of the remark.

Appeal or complain

If your child’s paper has been remarked and you’re convinced that there’s still been a mistake, you can appeal, through the school, within two weeks of receiving the decision.

If you are still not happy with the results of the appeal, then you can contact the Examinations Procedures Review Service (EPRS), which is provided by exam board regulator, Ofqual.

Unless you are pretty sure that the exam board did not apply its procedures consistently or if procedures were not followed properly and fairly then this process can be lengthy and difficult for you and your child, so discuss this carefully with your school who can advise you.

Contact your sixth form college of choice

If your child has missed their required grades but can legitimately claim extenuating circumstances, they might let them attend. Or they might let them start on the proviso that they resit the exams and achieve the grades required.

Look ahead to university

Even if your child achieves the grades required for their sixth form and A-level course of choice, you might not be able to rest easy just yet.

If their GCSE results are not high enough, they might be disappointed when it comes to getting a place at university.

For example, they might achieve a 7 in Maths which is a very respectable grade, but if their university of choice requires at least an 8 for their chosen course, then they might not be accepted even if they achieve all the required A-level grades. Don’t let your kid’s GCSE grades let them down later on. Give them a chance to do better by retaking the exams.

This might seem daunting now and your child might even gasp at the prospect of more exams - besides they might not even know which universities they want to apply to yet, but in order for them to be in with a chance at the top universities, consider retakes as an option.

Resit the exams

If your child wants to get a higher grade, they can resit their GCSE exams.

They can study for their GCSE retakes alongside doing their A Levels. Resitting one or two GCSE exams will not hold them back and with the right support needn’t be too cumbersome either.

Depending on the subject, some retakes (Maths and English) can be taken in November and other subjects can be taken the following summer. Talk to your teachers for more advice on resitting exams.

Mathnasium can help

Whether your kid fails their Math GCSE, narrowly misses their predicted grades or could do better given a second chance, Mathnasium can support and guide them through the retakes. We can help your child achieve top marks and make maths easier for them in the process.

We are a maths learning centre where dedicated instructors work with your children to help them understand numbers instinctively making maths feel like second nature to them. If you are considering Maths GCSE exam retakes, contact our centre on Northcote Road and come in for a free assessment. The team will pinpoint where the gaps are in your child’s knowledge and create a bespoke programme for them. Our instructors will work closely with them to give them the extra boost they need.

Our instructors love maths and we are confident that once your child completes their course with us, they will too.

We wish you and your children all the very best today, but remember if it doesn’t go to plan, stay calm, and give us a call – we would love to help.

Mathnasium

Address: 122 Northcote Road, London SW11 6QU

Tel: 0207 0787 000

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mathnasium.co.uk/clapham