GCSE’s 2020 Class of Covid 19

[Paddlinglikehell]

What are your thoughts on GCSEs for next year? Whilst I want DD to go back to school for this important year, I am also concerned, as she is slightly at risk, (autoimmune) but not shielded.

Is it reasonable to expect them to catch up now for exams in May? My DD has expressed concerns already about her levels dropping and is anxious about meeting the targets, have your teens?

Could they use coursework? Bearing in mind some of her classmates have done practically nothing. Can they really catch up?

Any thoughts from teachers?

[fairydust3]

I'm a secondary school teacher and I have absolutely no concerns for my year 10s sitting their exams next year. Your daughter's teachers should be providing sufficient work to cover content. I can't speak for all schools but my school is currently preparing for curriculum changes and how to ensure year 10 don't fall behind already.
Also I'm an examiner for AQA and I'm pretty sure the grade boundaries will be much lower next year and examiners will be asked to be more "forgiving" as such.

[PettsWoodParadise]

Join us on the GCSEs 2021 thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3653238-Starting-Year-10-GCSE-2021

[wakeupitsabeautifulmorning]

@fairydust3 thank you that’s really good to hear from a teacher and examiner. My DS is also year 10 and doing work provided by school but I do worry that his year are all set the same work not differentiated and wonder how this will effect him as he was predicted some high marks. Don’t want to hassle school as I am sure they are trying their best.

[Paddlinglikehell]

@fairydust3. I hope so, certainly she is getting work set, but it’s just not the same as being in a classroom.

It’s comforting to hear that.

[fairydust3]

@wakeupitsabeautifulmorning @Paddlinglikehell it's a really difficult situation, but the thing to remember is that the whole country is receiving the same level of education at the moment. So when it comes to exams, there's likely to be an overall lack of understanding of content in some areas so it's to be expected and exam boards are preparing for it.
At least you guys care enough to worry! I've got quite a few kids who haven't completed any work set from any lessons and parents don't really seem too bothered. Understanding that it's a new situation and homeschooling is a seriously tough task but some support is required!

[PettsWoodParadise]

But that is just it @fairydust3 students are not ‘receiving the same level of education’. Some do not have access to digital devices or broadband, some larger families are sharing equipment, some are not motivated, some are in households who don’t care about education. Once children go beck the divide will be enormous between those who are getting great learning from their schools and those who are not, those who want to learn and those who don’t.

[fairydust3]

@pettswoodparadise you're absolutely right but it's exactly the same in a normal situation. You have children who have little support at home vs children who have private tutors. You have those who want to learn in lessons and work consistently well vs those with persistent absence and those who truant lessons or refuse to work.
Again I can't speak for other schools but at my school we have provided IT equipment for those who don't have it or we have sent paper copies and have had heads of year catching up with them regularly to ensure they're able to work. The majority of schools will be doing this and we hope that those who want to learn, will try their hardest given the circumstances.

[PettsWoodParadise]

I agree but being at school at least evens out some of the imbalances. The lack of a physical school environment just magnifies the inequality further

[fairydust3]

@PettsWoodParadise it does, it's shite. I really feel for the kids having to go through this. I really hope we can pick up as many of the pieces when we go back to school.