LOST OUT ON FIRST CHOICE

Daisy German With predicted grades of A* and two As, Daisy German, 18, was excited to be leaving home in Peterborough to head to the University of Leeds to study midwifery in September. The course required ABB grades with an A in biology. As she’d already earned an A* in biology and A*B, in mock exams, Daisy was confident she’d get her place.

Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as she’d hoped.

“On results day I logged into Ucas and saw that I hadn’t got into Leeds,” she said. Thanks to Ofqual’s algorithm that all-important A in biology had been downgraded to a D, ruling out a place on her course. While the Government’s about-turn has ensured Daisy’s results have been boosted up to her teacher’s predictions of A*AA, her place at university is still in doubt.

“Places for midwifery at Leeds are very limited, they have only 70 places per year, so if the course is already full, I won’t have a place,” Daisy said. While she’s thankful that she should still gain a deferred place next year she is conscious that she’d end up starting and finishing university a year after all her friends. “I’m lucky that these aren’t the biggest issues but they’re issues I shouldn’t have to face,” she said.” While her reserve place at the University of Lincoln (which needed BBB) is still an option, Daisy feels she wants to hold out for a place at Leeds after all her hard work.

“This past week should have been full of celebrations instead of stress and upset,” she said. “For them to have waited until now to have finally done something feels like I’m just being messed around.”

Jack Rear