What to do if her GCSE results are not as expected...

So what do you do if your daughter’s GCSE results are not as you both expected?

Firstly, it isn’t the end of the world!
Secondly, make an appointment for you and your daughter to see the Head of her school.

Most schools accept that a student can make a mistake and will have strategies of their own to help girls in this situation. For example, if a girl has dramatically not lived up to expectations, schools might offer a one-year contract for Lower Sixth with a set of specifications for entry into Upper Sixth (e.g. at least 3 subjects with D grades or above). Your daughter’s school may suggest that she should only do 3 subjects at AS, or that she should be allowed to start with 4 subjects, but this will be reviewed at October half-term, with the expectation that she will then drop one subject. These conversations should be undertaken just after GCSE results day and should involve you, your daughter and her school.

If she achieved poorly in one particular subject, then again talk to that teacher. Some schools have a strict written entry criteria for Sixth Form, but in reality are flexible with individuals.

If your daughter is not allowed to pursue a particular subject for A level, whether this is because she hasn’t achieved the correct grade or the option system won’t let her, then you have to get analytical!

• Why did she want to do this subject? (Remember 80% of careers do not depend upon a school subject)
• What skills did this subject give her? (logic, analysis of text, synthesis, essay writing, …) Will another subject offer her this skill set?
• Consult as many people as possible, encourage her to write down the positives and negatives, sleep on it and make the decision in the morning.
• Whatever happens, don’t assume your daughter has to leave her school without discussing it with the Head or a senior teacher! It is more difficult to start AS subjects in a new system, and she will be at a disadvantage because she doesn’t know anyone, especially if she has just taken a knock in confidence over her GCSE results.

Finally, your daughter won’t be the first person or the last to have dropped a grade or two at GCSE. We all learn from mistakes, so talk to your daughter and encourage her to see the positives in the situation. With determination and experience she will hopefully avoid putting herself in this position again and can approach the next stage of her education with renewed enthusiasm.