A level results

Yes I have my fingers crossed, DGD is there now collecting her results!

I hope that those grandparents with grandchildren expecting A level results (Scottish Highers results are already out, I think) have good news and wish their grandchildren well in whatever it is they are planning to do.

However, I do wish we weren't subjected to watching complete strangers opening their results envelopes on television news programmes and then telling us what university or job they are planning to go to. (Funny how they always seems to have three As or A*s.) I don't care. It is of no interest to anyone except themselves and their families. [grumpy emoticon]

Fingers crossed for your DGD glass!

Agree with you re: strangers, absent - it's all those pictures of pretty young girls jumping up and down with bits of paper. Where are the boys??!

It is infuriating and as you say absent they are always the star pupils, yes I have an interest this year in the results but this need for all the local radio channels and TV news reporters standing waiting for the envelope to be opened is tedious. I will be very surprised if DGD has done anything worth mentioning, in fact I might just eat my hat if she has, I fear a resit if I am truthful!! Last year she had good results but seems to have sat back on her laurels and has found the night life in Newcastle very enticing. But I suppose it would not be the end of the world to have to resit.

I hope everything child gets what they expect or better.

I hate the 'A levels are easier now' brigade. These kids have worked hard to achieve their results and no one should try to take that away from them.

vampirequeen I agree with you. I think people say they are easier because now course work is taken into account - which in my opinion makes sense - anyone can cram for an exam whereas course work shows whether the student actually understands the subject. Don't have grandchildren myself but good luck to those getting their results today.

As a GCSE and A'Level teacher- I have mixed feelings about course work. Yes, in a way it is great as it encourages students to do independent research. Sadly though, it is strongly biased towards students from more middle-class background, as parents have the books, skills and contacts to help with such research - or pay support teachers after school to help with such. I have often been asked to coach students to 'help' them with projects- and asked to correct them so they get a high mark. Same for students from private school where teachers help students during prep and after school.

In Switzerland for instance, any such project has to be done in school time in the library or class-room, to avoid the above.

A'Levels now are indeed very different, and often much better. For instance if you learn a foreign language- you need to develop a good understanding of the culture, political systems, specific environmental and social issues- and be able to debate them effectively, both in writing and orally, and to be able to read and listen to current newspaper articles, radio interviews, etc. Much much better than Ye Olde literature and grammar only.

We have a year off thank goodness DGS4 is the next one in two years time,good luck to all of those waiting for their results lets hope they get what they need to continue their education or chosen career.

Celebrations in our household yesterday. My youngest son who is working in Greece got his results and achieved Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction in his BTEC Ext ND. He has a specific learning difficulty and did ALL of his work unaided. We're all thrilled and relieved in equal measure and I'm feeling slightly smug as until he left home to go to college he was home schooled part-time. Many people believed that he had been educationally disadvantaged by this and were happy to tell me so at the time!!

That's wonderful news grannyactivist. It has always been a bugbear of mine that we write children off too easily. I used to have a sign up saying

'Jam jars have labels, children don't.'

My best friends daughter managed 3 A* and 1A securing her place at Oxford. Loevly girl but she drank and partied her way through sixth form doing little work. She isnt brain of Britain - I wondered how she did it.

Well done to those GC who have succeeded and commiserations to the ones who haven't quite got what they hoped for. It's not the end of the world. I know from family experience that going through clearing can provide opportunities you never expected.