NationStates Jolt Archive

It's a day of elation/devastation for many, iiiiiiit's A-Level results day :eek:

How did everyone else taking them atm do?

I got two As (Hist/EngLang) and two Bs (French and German) - happy days.

No maths?

No maths?
No, I did 5 humanities subjects in my AS year. I wanted to do Chemistry, but I would have had to drop Spanish, something I didn't really want to do.

It's been one of the lead stories on the news since I switched the TV on a couple of hours ago. Reports say that there has been a 97.2% pass rate (apparently an 'E' grade is a pass) and that 25.9% of all this year's A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been scored as grade A.

I suppose that means we'll get another couple of weeks of people bemoaning falling standards and the evils of "teaching to the test", just like we've had for the last 20+ years :(

I hope those of you opening your results letters this morning have achieved what you expected :)

Congrats to all for getting through A-Levels, they are bloody hard work. Ignore all the nay-sayers who will say that exams are easier than ever, you've worked hard and deserve praise.

It's been one of the lead stories on the news since I switched the TV on a couple of hours ago. Reports say that there has been a 97.2% pass rate (apparently an 'E' grade is a pass) and that 25.9% of all this year's A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been scored as grade A.
Aww. Feel slightly lamer now.
I suppose that means we'll get another couple of weeks of people bemoaning falling standards and the evils of "teaching to the test", just like we've had for the last 20+ years :(
Aye. Or indeed bemoaning the National Curriculum's role in making sure everyone can do a bit of everything and hence helps them to have a more contextualised view of every subject.

I remember doing my Advanced Higher Maths exam.

Now THAT, ladies and gentlemen, was a difficult exam.

4 A's, in Maths, Further Maths, Government and Politics, and Physics. These are only AS grades though.

I remember doing my Advanced Higher Maths exam.

Now THAT, ladies and gentlemen, was a difficult exam.
That's Advanced Highers for you :tongue:
4 A's, in Maths, Further Maths, Government and Politics, and Physics. These are only AS grades though.
Still, gz.

Dont forget that GCSE results come out soon

Aww. Feel slightly lamer now.
Nah, don't... that wasn't what I was shooting for. Besides, you appear to have nailed A's in 50% of your A levels and that puts you well ahead of the curve if only 25.9% of the exams are being awarded an A. ;)

Congrats to all those getting the grades you wanted (thus far Yootopia and UNIversyVERSE it seems).

Ah... I remeber my A-Levels well. At least by now the press has had a chance to get used to the AS/A2 - I was in the first experimental year for the system and you can imagine how they enjoyed crying that it was making the whole thing easier and it was disgrace (etc, etc). Don't listen to them... more recent research has indicated that although some subjects are distinctly easier, the quality of the questions has not declined, even if the subject matter being covered has changed (eg in Physics apparently there are some aspects that used to covered at A-Level which aren't any more, however some things which are used to only be seen at degree level, so it evens out).

Congrats to all those getting the grades you wanted (thus far Yootopia and UNIversyVERSE it seems).

Ah... I remeber my A-Levels well. At least by know the press has had a chance to get used to the AS/A2 - I was in the first experimental year for the system and you can imagine how they enjoyed crying that it was making the whole thing easier and it was disgrace (etc, etc). Don't listen to them... more recent research has indicated that although some subjects are distinctly easier, the quality of the questions has not declined, even if the subject matter being covered has changed (eg in Physics apparently there are some aspects that used to covered at A-Level which aren't any more, however some things which are used to only be seen at degree level, so it evens out).

Please get a job at the BBC.

Please get a job at the BBC.
That would still leave the not insignificant problem of the Daily Mail.

That would still leave the not insignificant problem of the Daily Mail.

I'll get a job there.

I can be that fuddy-duddy.

Well I got a B at A level, and a A+B at AS. :tongue:
Just one more year, and thats the end of further education for me!


Ah... I remeber my A-Levels well. At least by know the press has had a chance to get used to the AS/A2 - I was in the first experimental year for the system and you can imagine how they enjoyed crying that it was making the whole thing easier and it was disgrace (etc, etc). Don't listen to them... more recent research has indicated that although some subjects are distinctly easier, the quality of the questions has not declined, even if the subject matter being covered has changed (eg in Physics apparently there are some aspects that used to covered at A-Level which aren't any more, however some things which are used to only be seen at degree level, so it evens out).

I have to say that some subjects are much easier then others.
For example Film Studies and Computing are both worth exactly the same when applying for Uni, but I've found there to be a big difference between their levels of difficulty.
So if one subject is easier then another, is it an actual reflection of a persons ability?

I'm sure universities would be able to get around that, (e.g. choose candidates with more logic based subjects at A level for a science degree, rather then arts/humanities), but it just seems to me that something should be done to sort that out.

But anyway, no system is perfect, this one runs okay at the moment. :)

Please get a job at the BBC.

Unfortunatly the press don't like listening to the research :(

4-4;13922732']
I have to say that some subjects are much easier then others.
For example Film Studies and Computing are both worth exactly the same when applying for Uni, but I've found there to be a big difference between their levels of difficulty.
So if one subject is easier then another, is it an actual reflection of a persons ability?


In all honesty, high level universities and more specifically the departments (Russel Group, 1994 Group and Oxbridge) do weigh the different subjects differently and are less likely to make offers if the applicant doesn't have appropriate A-Level subjects for the course (e.g. we won't offer for Psychology if you don't have at least one science), simply because of having too many applicants with high grades making it difficult to distinguish between them.

4-4;13922732']Well I got a B at A level, and a A+B at AS. :tongue:
Just one more year, and thats the end of further education for me!



I have to say that some subjects are much easier then others.
For example Film Studies and Computing are both worth exactly the same when applying for Uni, but I've found there to be a big difference between their levels of difficulty.
So if one subject is easier then another, is it an actual reflection of a persons ability?

I'm sure universities would be able to get around that, (e.g. choose candidates with more logic based subjects at A level for a science degree, rather then arts/humanities), but it just seems to me that something should be done to sort that out.

But anyway, no system is perfect, this one runs okay at the moment. :)

It's definitely true that some subjects are easier than others. It's also true that University admissions tutors know this just as much as the students. So the system evens itself out. If you just want to do some doss subjects to get in, you won't get in to the good places.

It's been one of the lead stories on the news since I switched the TV on a couple of hours ago. Reports say that there has been a 97.2% pass rate (apparently an 'E' grade is a pass) and that 25.9% of all this year's A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been scored as grade A.

Well, the overall 'A' rate was 25.9%, but the 'A' rate in Northern Ireland was 35.4%, so the 'A' rate in England and Wales must have been lower than 25.9%.

Yes, we are Better Than You.

edit: Just saw that England was 25.6%, and Wales was 24.1%. Man, education in Wales must really suck if 11.3% more of NI pupils are able to get 'A's.

I am ignorant of the British school system (though give me some credit I knew it was to do with the UK)

What are A-levels? Are they your Year 12 school results? i.e your final year of secondary schooling.

As for that what are O-levels? Are they your Year 10 results?

I am ignorant of the British school system (though give me some credit I knew it was to do with the UK)

What are A-levels? Are they your Year 12 school results? i.e your final year of secondary schooling.

As for that what are O-levels? Are they your Year 10 results?

I can't speak for England and Wales, but in Scotland we have Highers and Advanced Highers (somewhat equivalent to A and AS-levels) which take place in the last two years of secondary schooling and Standard Grades (directly equivalent to O-levels) which are studied in the middle two years of secondary education.

i know one young lady who did rather well today :)

... and that 25.9% of all this year's A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been scored as grade A.

that seems rather high :eek2:



Ah... I remeber my A-Levels well. At least by now the press has had a chance to get used to the AS/A2 - I was in the first experimental year for the system and you can imagine how they enjoyed crying that it was making the whole thing easier and it was disgrace (etc, etc). Don't listen to them... more recent research has indicated that although some subjects are distinctly easier, the quality of the questions has not declined, even if the subject matter being covered has changed (eg in Physics apparently there are some aspects that used to covered at A-Level which aren't any more, however some things which are used to only be seen at degree level, so it evens out).
yeah, i was amongst the first for AS's as well. they were completely pointless as the universities didn't recognise AS levels, which meant my time over those two years would have been better spent either a) doing a fourth A2 level; or b) just focusing on the three i did do and achieving a higher result in those. grr.

4-4;13922732']
I have to say that some subjects are much easier then others.
For example Film Studies and Computing are both worth exactly the same when applying for Uni, but I've found there to be a big difference between their levels of difficulty.


there is, and universities do take it into account, i think. in my own experience, i got 20 points under the ucas score i needed to get into my preferred choice. they still took me, no problems, probably because i was taking the three sciences and economics... none of which were exactly easy-going subjects :tongue:

I can't speak for England and Wales, but in Scotland we have Highers and Advanced Highers (somewhat equivalent to A and AS-levels) which take place in the last two years of secondary schooling and Standard Grades (directly equivalent to O-levels) which are studied in the middle two years of secondary education.

What? So the Scots have a completely different system? Just break the union already its had 300 years (officially) and since the Scottish parliament came into being it has been a sham

OK yeah for sure thanks that is a bit more clearer, here in Australia well I should clarify that because each individual state has their own system. But the final year of schooling is what counts and I think that NSW still has something for Year 10 where all students take the same final exams.

I am ignorant of the British school system (though give me some credit I knew it was to do with the UK)

What are A-levels? Are they your Year 12 school results? i.e your final year of secondary schooling.

As for that what are O-levels? Are they your Year 10 results?

pretty much.

O-levels were replaced by GCSE's some time ago. you take them when you are 16. staying in school until you are 16 is mandatory, iirc.

you start your A-levels after GCSE's at 17, and take A-level exams at 18 in your last year of secondary school.
AS-levels are half an A-level (formally A2-level), and you do one a year (one when you are 17 and one at 18)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England#Secondary_education

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Certificate_of_Secondary_Education

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Level_(UK)

eidt: much as those links say, we never did any Key Skills in our school/sixth form

What? So the Scots have a completely different system? Just break the union already its had 300 years (officially) and since the Scottish parliament came into being it has been a sham

OK yeah for sure thanks that is a bit more clearer, here in Australia well I should clarify that because each individual state has their own system. But the final year of schooling is what counts and I think that NSW still has something for Year 10 where all students take the same final exams.

I believe its a relic from the time when education was largely organised by the church and as Scotland had a separate established chruch we ended up with a separate education system. Education is now under the remit of the Scottish Parliament which guarantees it will remain separate. Given the cock-ups in exam marking in England in recent years I'm quite happy we have our own system.

i know one young lady who did rather well today :)
That would be Glitz, yes? Well done to her! :)

My girlfriend's brother didn't get the grades he needed, though with what he got he should be able to get on a three-year physics course rather than the four-year ones he applied for. And then, provided he does well enough in the first year, can transfer over to the four-year course. :confused:

pretty much.

O-levels were replaced by GCSE's some time ago. you take them when you are 16. staying in school until you are 16 is mandatory, iirc.

you start your A-levels after GCSE's at 17, and take A-level exams at 18 in your last year of secondary school.
AS-levels are half an A-level (formally A2-level), and you do one a year (one when you are 17 and one at 18)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England#Secondary_education

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Certificate_of_Secondary_Education

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Level_(UK)

eidt: much as those links say, we never did any Key Skills in our school/sixth form

Ok thanks, similar to what I was thinking, although it seems that you do it over two years instead of one.

And GCSE's yeah ok thanks a lot for the help. You mentioned age does it matter or is it year level, of course it may be due to the fact that you guys start in about August and finish in about May? Where as we start in the last few days of January and finish mid December and in my final year I was 17, and when I was in Year 10 I was only 15 which didn't mean much as I turned 16 during the summer holidays and didn't have to go back to school after that (not that I ever considered that but still).

I believe its a relic from the time when education was largely organised by the church and as Scotland had a separate established chruch we ended up with a separate education system. Education is now under the remit of the Scottish Parliament which guarantees it will remain separate. Given the cock-ups in exam marking in England in recent years I'm quite happy we have our own system.

Yeah fair enough.

*clap clap* now you can all go to university and do some actual exams!

It's a day of elation/devastation for many, iiiiiiit's A-Level results day :eek:

How did everyone else taking them atm do?

I got two As (Hist/EngLang) and two Bs (French and German) - happy days.

Did you do AQA German? I did and have been devestated by the D that I got for my exam essay. I came out with a B overall though, which is gravy. As for the others, A in General Studies (that's a laugh), A in English Literature, B in History, C in Politics. Good times. Cardiff Uni here I come!

*clap clap* now you can all go to university and do some actual exams!

:D

I remember when I used to hate my exams in High school, and now at University I wouldn't even break a sweat, but then again I am the type of guy who loves the exam period because it is the time of the course where I know I will always go well, during the semester not so much, I wish the course grade was given to us based on what we got in the exam and not this only 60% or 50% rubbish.

Congrats you A - Levellers. Now the real fun begins. Which reminds me. It's time for me to plan the Freshers Initiation....

A in General Studies (that's a laugh),
Does anyone really take General Studies serously? Our 6th form didn't even bother with classes, just entered everyone into the exam and pretty much everyone passed. That and most good Uni's won't even look at it.

Does anyone really take General Studies serously? Our 6th form didn't even bother with classes, just entered everyone into the exam and pretty much everyone passed. That and most good Uni's won't even look at it.

I didn't even take General Studies. No big loss.

Well, the overall 'A' rate was 25.9%, but the 'A' rate in Northern Ireland was 35.4%, so the 'A' rate in England and Wales must have been lower than 25.9%.

Yes, we are Better Than You.

edit: Just saw that England was 25.6%, and Wales was 24.1%. Man, education in Wales must really suck if 11.3% more of NI pupils are able to get 'A's.
Isn't that due to the lovely grammar school system? Every Norn Ironer I know at uni seemed to come here with 4 A grades in real subjects even if they weren't that intelligent.

I have to have mine posted to me what with working for a living :(

also I should be over a year behind all you other 18 year olds WTF?

Isn't that due to the lovely grammar school system? Every Norn Ironer I know at uni seemed to come here with 4 A grades in real subjects even if they weren't that intelligent.

Possibly, about 37% of secondary pupils here are in a grammar school, but I'd bet that even non-grammar schools in NI are better than their English counterparts. The overall pass rate in NI was still higher than England and Wales, after all.

The NI system just apparently works better than the English or Welsh one. Results-wise, anyway.

WOO WOOO HOOOOOO
lol

I got 3 As in History, English Literature and Religious Studies!

Going off to Manchester Uni in September to do Politics and International Relations

Where is everyone else going? (or planning to go if you had AS results)

Going off to Manchester Uni in September to do Politics and International Relations

they have schools in Manchester?

Where is everyone else going? (or planning to go if you had AS results)

going to do A-2 courses next year (in my backwards midland college) hopefully moving onto forensic psychology in the long run if my psychology results are good

if not I'm on an apprenticeship at a Nursery anyway so if the shit hits the fan I can afford stickers for my cardboard box:tongue:

Originally Posted by Nadkor View Post
Well, the overall 'A' rate was 25.9%, but the 'A' rate in Northern Ireland was 35.4%, so the 'A' rate in England and Wales must have been lower than 25.9%.

Yes, we are Better Than You.

edit: Just saw that England was 25.6%, and Wales was 24.1%. Man, education in Wales must really suck if 11.3% more of NI pupils are able to get 'A's.


The Welsh education system is one of the best in the UK probably second only to Scotland. We dont have such imperialist, privilaged ass munching things like Grammer Schools (pulls a sick face). People in Wales have to WORK for their grades with everyone working from an EQUAL starting point, at least we dont get legs up like some people in England.

Also we have a different exam board in Wales to England and Northern Ireland. Surely we should be more worried about the fact that a very high number of English and Northern Irish people found the exam "easy" enough to get an A. The fact Welsh students are less likely to get an A could mean our papers were harder and more harshly marked. Again a good thing as it really separates the men from the mice. In Wales we have to actually put some effort in, if quarter plus of the students in England and Northern Ireland are getting A's it doesn't mean education in Wales is poor or that we are thicker it could mean the English and Northern Irish exam boards were more lenient.

it doesn't mean education in Wales is poor or that we are thicker it could mean the English and Northern Irish exam boards were more lenient.

I'd like to remind you that we have all been to Wales and as such your not fooling us one bit! :wink:

I'd like to remind you that we have all been to Wales and as such your not fooling us one bit! :wink:

Are you saying Welsh people are thick?

Coz if you are I think that would pass for racism!

Wales may have its problems but the fact that less of us got As means absolutely nothing! If its really that easy to get an A in England, then what is the point in having the exams in the first place? if over quarter of the people get an A then its obviously not really seperating people out and giving universities and prospective employers a good idea of what that person is capable of.

The Welsh education system is one of the best in the UK probably second only to Scotland. We dont have such imperialist, privilaged ass munching things like Grammer Schools (pulls a sick face). People in Wales have to WORK for their grades with everyone working from an EQUAL starting point, at least we dont get legs up like some people in England.

You do understand, of course, that anybody is eligible to go to a grammar school in Northern Ireland, that entrance is based on academic ability, that provided there is a space the schools are required to accept a pupil provided they have shown the desired level of academic achievement, and that the vast, vast majority are free or charge minimal fees and if a pupil can't afford those fees they are paid for them?

For example, the school I went to had people at it who came from the poorest areas of Belfast as well as people from the richest parts of Belfast, and everything in between; we were there because we were smart enough to be there, not because we bought our way into it.

Further, Northern Ireland, rightly, has a reputation for having one of the best education systems not just in the UK, but in Europe. A UN report I saw a few years ago, IIRC, put it in the top 5 in the developed world; I'll see if I can dig that up again (if anybody knows the name of the (I think) biannual report that the UN puts out ranking education systems then that would be very much appreciated)

Also we have a different exam board in Wales to England and Northern Ireland. Surely we should be more worried about the fact that a very high number of English and Northern Irish people found the exam "easy" enough to get an A. The fact Welsh students are less likely to get an A could mean our papers were harder and more harshly marked. Again a good thing as it really separates the men from the mice. In Wales we have to actually put some effort in, if quarter plus of the students in England and Northern Ireland are getting A's it doesn't mean education in Wales is poor or that we are thicker it could mean the English and Northern Irish exam boards were more lenient.

...whereas the reality is that CCEA has a reputation for being difficult and harshly marked.

There's a reason why the admissions officer at my current university (in England) asked if my A Levels had been done with CCEA and then said "Good, we prefer that to most of the English ones" when I said I had.

going to do A-2 courses next year (in my backwards midland college) hopefully moving onto forensic psychology in the long run if my psychology results are good


Is that through a BSc in Psychology then an MSc in Forensic Psychology or will you be going to Central Lancashire (ok, I think there's one other Uni that does it as a BSc)? Although they do have some excellent staff on the course at Central Lancashire, if you actually want to become a chartered Forensic Psychologist, you will need to have a seperate masters on top of your degree.

... can you guess what my masters was in :D

Yeh, down South we do a minimum of 7 exams, so 4 would seems like a breeze.

Then again, haven't done them in quite a while so.....

Coz if you are I think that would pass for racism!

:eek: you have never encountered the English before have you?

Is that through a BSc in Psychology then an MSc in Forensic Psychology or will you be going to Central Lancashire (ok, I think there's one other Uni that does it as a BSc)? Although they do have some excellent staff on the course at Central Lancashire, if you actually want to become a chartered Forensic Psychologist, you will need to have a seperate masters on top of your degree.

the first one due to having never heard of a special course at lancashire :confused:

and yeah all the good jobs involve so much work :( (though you forgot the part about working under a chartered forensic psychologist for 2 years-ish)

can you guess what my masters was in :D

was it being a show off? :tongue:

the first one due to having never heard of a special course at lancashire :confused:

and yeah all the good jobs involve so much work :( (though you forgot the part about working under a chartered forensic psychologist for 2 years-ish)


Central Lancashire does a BSc in Forensic Psychology, but essentially it's a Psychology BSc but taking Forensic Psychology advanced modules in the third year. TO be honest, you are better off doing a general Psychology BSc then specializing, it gives you greater breadth.

2 years? You'll be lucky, I know people still trying to get there chartership after 4. It is, to be honest a bit of a mess at the moment with chartership. On the other hand there is a significant staff shortage in Forensic Psychologists in the prison service, and hopefully they should have sorted out the problems by the time you get round to it.


was it being a show off?

Well that too :p

edit: Just saw that England was 25.6%, and Wales was 24.1%. Man, education in Wales must really suck if 11.3% more of NI pupils are able to get 'A's.
Oh dear, oh dear.

It wasn't 11.3% of NI pupils who got more As than Wales, it was more like 30% more.
What are A-levels? Are they your Year 12 school results? i.e your final year of secondary schooling.
Year 13 results, half of which is for your efforts in Year 12.
As for that what are O-levels?
No such thing in modern schools, we take GCSEs instead, which are supposedly easier :tongue:
Are they your Year 10 results?
Year 11 results, affected by coursework (eh essays which affect your overall grade) done in Year 10.
Did you do AQA German? I did and have been devestated by the D that I got for my exam essay. I came out with a B overall though, which is gravy.
No, I did OCR German and did a 1200 word piece of coursework instead of an exam paper - good job on the B, though.
As for the others, A in General Studies (that's a laugh), A in English Literature, B in History, C in Politics. Good times. Cardiff Uni here I come!
5 A-levels? Well played.

*Och the last few posts, can't really be arsed to quote them all, sorry*
Did you by any chance work with Prof. Peter Thompson?

Did you by any chance work with Prof. Peter Thompson?

In the same department yes, although our research areas are completely different. He was also one of my undergraduate lecturers and possibly the best lecturer I know.

Although it's really not my area, some of his visual illusions he's developed are great.

In the same department yes, although our research areas are completely different. He was also one of my undergraduate lecturers and possibly the best lecturer I know.

Although it's really not my area, some of his visual illusions he's developed are great.
Aye, am best mates with his son who I am off to the pub with in about five minutes :D

Hurrah for name-dropping :D

Aye, am best mates with his son who I am off to the pub with in about five minutes :D

Hurrah for name-dropping :D

Why is "it's a small world" suddenly going round in my head

... or possibly just "it's a small York"

Why is "it's a small world" suddenly going round in my head

... or possibly just "it's a small York"
"Intellectuals of a sort form circle of similarly minded friends shocker" :tongue:

Oh dear, oh dear.

It wasn't 11.3% of NI pupils who got more As than Wales, it was more like 30% more.

I'll take your word for it. There's a reason why in 6 years of study since my GCSEs I've completely ignored anything even vaguely maths related...

You do understand, of course, that anybody is eligible to go to a grammar school in Northern Ireland, that entrance is based on academic ability, that provided there is a space the schools are required to accept a pupil provided they have shown the desired level of academic achievement, and that the vast, vast majority are free or charge minimal fees and if a pupil can't afford those fees they are paid for them?

For example, the school I went to had people at it who came from the poorest areas of Belfast as well as people from the richest parts of Belfast, and everything in between; we were there because we were smart enough to be there, not because we bought our way into it.

Further, Northern Ireland, rightly, has a reputation for having one of the best education systems not just in the UK, but in Europe. A UN report I saw a few years ago, IIRC, put it in the top 5 in the developed world; I'll see if I can dig that up again (if anybody knows the name of the (I think) biannual report that the UN puts out ranking education systems then that would be very much appreciated)


OK I still dont agree with grammer schools, to test a child that young and basically define if they can get to a very good uni and job or a mediocre one later in life is wrong, If I had lived in Northern Ireland or England I wouldn't have gone to a grammer school and I think my three As today would prove that I'm NOW more than capable of achieving academically and deserve a place in a good uni and later a good job.


But anyway thats off topic what I would also like to point out is that OVERALL Wales did better than most of the UK in getting 97% of its students a pass grade, we just had less As. As aren't actually the only important thing you know! and you shouldn't be judging the entire education system of a country on how many As the pupils get! Overall we did better than Northern Ireland for example and even England.

:eek: you have never encountered the English before have you?


Yes of course I have, I'm half English myself but just because your English and the rest of England seems to think its ok to look down on Wales and Welsh people doesn't make it right! And i'm not just gonna sit back and let people talk about one of my countries like that!

OK I still dont agree with grammer schools, to test a child that young and basically define if they can get to a very good uni and job or a mediocre one later in life is wrong, If I had lived in Northern Ireland or England I wouldn't have gone to a grammer school and I think my three As today would prove that I'm NOW more than capable of achieving academically and deserve a place in a good uni and later a good job.

What, you think that not getting into a Grammar school automatically screws you? Bollocks; it gives those who are at the higher end of the intelligence spectrum a chance to "shine", but the way the rest of the education system here is structured in no way does it stop pupils who maybe developed later, or who just screwed up on their 11 plus, from achieving what they can. Indeed, it's very common for pupils who missed out on a grammar school place to move to a grammar school after two or three years at another secondary school where they have shown they are "worthy" of a place.

The only real argument to be had against the NI education system is one that is based on an out-dated and ideologically entrenched idea that grammar schools are elitest snob-fests that ordinary children can't get into. That most certainly is not the case in Northern Ireland.

Note, however, that I don't speak for England; I have really no idea how the grammar school setup there works.


But anyway thats off topic what I would also like to point out is that OVERALL Wales did better than most of the UK in getting 97% of its students a pass grade, we just had less As. As aren't actually the only important thing you know! and you shouldn't be judging the entire education system of a country on how many As the pupils get! Overall we did better than Northern Ireland for example and even England.

Well, no, actually. The Welsh overall pass rate was 97.6%, the English 97.2%, and the Northern Irish 98.2%.

So, even by your own standards, NI did better.

WOO WOOO HOOOOOO
lol

I got 3 As in History, English Literature and Religious Studies!

Going off to Manchester Uni in September to do Politics and International Relations

Where is everyone else going? (or planning to go if you had AS results)Mmmm, fresh meat...

I mean, um. Damn. There's no way to un-creepify that. Ah well *rubs thighs at future fresher*

:eek: you have never encountered the English before have you?



the first one due to having never heard of a special course at lancashire :confused:

and yeah all the good jobs involve so much work :( (though you forgot the part about working under a chartered forensic psychologist for 2 years-ish)



was it being a show off? :tongue:
Oh Good God, stay away from UCLAN if it's the Preston one.

5 A-levels? Well played.

Why thankyou - but lets be honest...is it the truth that doing five as well as having a part-time job destroyed my social life? Hell yes. Gutted.

Why thankyou - but lets be honest...is it the truth that doing five as well as having a part-time job destroyed my social life? Hell yes. Gutted.

Who needs a social life when you have the Internet?

Who needs a social life when you have the Internet?

Amen to that. Facebook is actually my life.

Oh Good God, stay away from UCLAN if it's the Preston one.

scary stuff?

Why thankyou - but lets be honest...is it the truth that doing five as well as having a part-time job destroyed my social life? Hell yes. Gutted.

welcome to adulthood :p

welcome to adulthood :p

Why thankyou. Now I feel old. Older than I already did. To know you've reached a quarter of your life expectancy is a sobering thought. So much to do, so little time. Good times.

Mmmm, fresh meat...

I mean, um. Damn. There's no way to un-creepify that. Ah well *rubs thighs at future fresher*

LOL

It was creepy but in a very funny way lol