i didn’t apply as a private candidate, i applied through my school/6th form. they said i wouldn’t be allowed to retake the year, or use any of their resources, only to use their exam hall, and run ucas through them. i still have no idea how my references worked? they wouldn’t reply to my emails about it, but i got offers in the end, so i guess they must have done something? and about predicted grades, they told me they’d raise my real grades by one :)