Collecting GCSE results

vicker

I'm looking ahead to next year when DS gets his results.

We're wanting to book a holiday now for summer 2020 and prices are cheaper late August. Meaning we won't be in the country when the results land. DS is fine about this.

I'm wondering if there's any reason we may be better off being in UK on results day. He's not yet chosen what A levels/course he wants to do sept 2020 or where he'll study them. His school doesn't have a 6th form, so he'll be going somewhere new. If it makes any difference, he's likely to do very well on his maths/science and will probably scrape a 5 in English if he puts the required effort in.

So could it make much difference to his onward path if I book the holiday for late August rather than late July?

KateBob

The only issue I can think of is whether the college he's applying to will want confirmation of his place.
My daughter's college wanted to know, by email, the day of the results if you were taking a place/got the results needed.
She also needed to go in within a couple of days with her results papers to confirm her A Level selections etc.

HampshireH

It's such a huge milestone usually shared with friends.

It would be a shame if he couldn't be part of that atmosphere and sense of achievement with his peers. He says he doesn't mind now... but a year is a long time

I guess it depends on the location of the school. If an urban area most kids have celebration plans (brunch or whatever) like the final hurrah!

From college perspective its changed since I went but we had to communicate with them asap to confirm results etc to get in and on the wished for courses

It only happens once! Holiday will be nice though.

Poppy1984

My son will collect his results this month, the sixthform he has applied to expect them to go in on results day.

Rambosmum

You could probably talk to the school about getting them over the phone, that way you could email the chosen college to let them know what he'll be studying. Most need to know at that time or they may assume he isn't taking up the place.

suejb2

My daughter is collecting her results this month and under no circumstances will they telephone you regarding the results. They will post them to you but this has to be arranged before end of the school year.

gettingtheresometime

Do you have any younger children? If not then why not consider early July?


As bear in mind that if his results aren't what is expected then it might be useful to be able to speak to teachers about his options in person

megela

Do you have other children?

My youngest finished her GCSE exams about 15th June, and we went on holiday then, avoiding all school holiday premiums. Is that an option? - even cheaper than late August.

Really wouldn't have considered taking her on results day.

touch*my*food*feel*myfork

My son needed to go into college on two occasions in the last week of August before starting the following week
First was where they sorted out results and if he was able to do the courses he wanted (and if not what there choices would be - if you son was away for this then he would obviously get last pick if needing to consider alternatives/retakes), second day sorted out enrollment and student pass etc


If you are able I would def say go away as soon as exams are over and miss the school timing totally - Unless like me you work in school and therefore have to stick to summer hols!

barbarawright

You could get them posted to grandma or aunty but who wants someone else opening their results?

Spendless

My daughter sat her GCSEs this year. We are sitting on 3 different college offers.

College 1 - her preferred option has asked her to come in a week after her results come out to enrol BUT at the taster day she did there, they told the students that if their results were disastrous to come straight up and see them that day. They are going to be open longer hours that day to accommodate this.

College 2 - We received a letter today. They want daughter to go in the day she gets her results. As it's out of area that would be difficult at the time theyve said. However, they have said to contact them if the date isn't suitable.

College 3 - We've yet to hear from re-enrolment.

To me, your issue won't be that results can't be collected on GCSE day. I believe you can arrange with the school in advance for someone to collect on child's behalf so long as they can provide identification, your issue will be if child doesn't get required grades for preferred course and you need to go and sort out an alternative.