A parent, teacher and student write about their anxieties and hopes for A-level results day
The student: Leon Ward
I'm waiting for A-level results in English language, history and government and politics. I've had a busy holiday so have only really started to get anxious these past few days; the media certainly hasn't helped things with all the worry over a shortage of clearing places! Facebook and Twitter have been bombarded with students posting their concerns online.
I want to attend Westminster University to study law and my offer is ABB. What's most stressful is the fact any student could get a slack marker and you wouldn't even know unless you challenged it.
I've found that there is a lot of pressure from my family, probably because I'm the first to go to university, but that feeling of perhaps disappointing others is really strenuous on top of the "waiting game". People are talking about checking Ucas before results go live to see if they have got into univeristy; everyone is scared, worried, anxious and excited.
University is a new and scary life. Certainly my friends are hopeful they will get the results they need in what is becoming an ever-more competitive market. My insurance offer is from Goldsmiths to read international studies and that offer is BBB.
I still haven't got anywhere to live in London yet because of the uncertainty and my student financing isn't sorted. So it just seems to be stress after stress after stress. Good luck to everyone; I hope it all works out for you!
The parent: Ginny Cullen
I'm praying for three As. I know it's ridiculous and pointless but I'm doing it anyway. My 18-year-old needs three A-grade passes to get a place on his chosen course of chemistry with German at Imperial College in London. I can't bear to think about what will happen if he doesn't get them. The best-case scenario is his second choice. But for Josh that's ABC so there's not much leeway. We're all on a knife edge and his whole future will be determined by these results.
It doesn't help knowing that there are thousands of other anxious parents doing what I'm doing. In fact, it makes it worse. The increased competition for places at university means that if Josh slips even one grade it's unlikely he will still get into the university of his choice.
If he slips a few more grades then it's the hell that is clearing. And this year will be worse than ever. It's predicted over 200,000 students won't get a place at all. Retaking exams will mean another anxious year and no guarantee of a place next year. In fact, it will be probably be worse than this year. And frankly I don't know that I've got the stomach for this all over again.
Gap years have suddenly become unfashionable, with chief executive of Ucas, Mary Curnock Cook saying students should forget about a year-long holiday and concentrate on getting work experience to enhance their CVs. Work, what work? Josh is hard-pressed to find a bar job let alone a job to help him into the world of chemistry.
It's with great despondence and trepidation that I look into a future where Josh fails to get his grades. It's tough to fail but this year it's going to be tougher than ever.
The teacher: Margaret McCann
As a head of sixth form in a thriving school in the south of England all my summer holiday plans have to be geared around A-level results day. There is no question of me being anywhere other than in school on the day the students find out where they are going to be in October. Having watched them sweat blood for two years to get in to the universities of their choice, it is a great moment when you see their faces light up as they open their results.
It is just as moving, but in a very much less pleasant way, to watch those few whose hopes are dashed by the small piece of paper in the brown envelope. This year is worse than most. My usual anxiety is exacerbated by the introduction of the new A* grade. I know a good number of our students deserve this accolade but have the examiners spotted this? Have the students adequately demonstrated their unusual abilities?
As it has transpired, not a single university has asked our students for an A* as a requirement of admission. Not even the most renowned of the centres of excellence. It does make me wonder why they clamoured so loudly for the introduction of the new grade.
Then there is the unprecedented pressure on university places. In the past I have advised students that should they fall just short of the grades they need to get their preferred place, they must get straight on the blower to the admissions officer and see if they can have it anyway. In the past it has worked. Sadly, we are playing a different game now.
My gut feeling is that if they don't get the grades there will be precious little room for manoeuvre. In this climate – and for the first time – I have asked my students to identify a backup plan for their future if all goes pear-shaped; to consider what they will do if they miss their place by just a few marks and there are no other available places out there.
However, I remain an optimist. The students have worked hard; they know the stakes are high; they are bright young things and the country's future – all will be well!