Supporting IGCSE and IAL pupils still revising

[shawarmasue]

Are there any other mums trying to support DCs who are still trying to revise? IGCSEs/ IAL/ IB students and I'm not sure who else have been told their exams are still on ! My kids are from England and live abroad because of Dh job .. They worried about home and their schools are closed ( and did so before the UK) but still expected to get back to work for their GCSEs which will still go ahead - I'm worried about them and hoping to find others so that we can support each other.

[carltonscroop]

I think you might need to specify where you live, OP, and perhaps look more locally for support.

In England, all exams are off - and all of UK is dong the same

From the government website:

"22. Are iGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate also cancelled?
We are making clear to all awarding organisations that no exams should go ahead in schools and colleges in England this year."

So are your schools still open where you are? Do they offer online learning, or are you having to create resources entirely yourself? Has he got study guides for each subject?

[0DimSumMum0]

Thank you for creating this thread @shawarmasue It is great to have found someone to discuss and commiserate with as we wait to find out exactly what is happening after what seems like an eternity of home schooling.

[shawarmasue]

Thanks both !

[shawarmasue]

@0DimSumMum0 yes glad to know we are not alone!! Do you expect any change to the decision ?

[shawarmasue]

@carltonscroop schools are closed b it all international students taking the iGCSE are still expected to sit their exams -- there is online support and we are well organised but this obviously puts these pupils at a huge disadvantage as they are also dealing with lockdowns and crises but are expected to study for exams

[0DimSumMum0]

I am really not sure! We had another email yesterday from our school confirming that they are still on but will be given a clearer picture on the 27th March which is when the IB make their announcement as well. In the meantime our school was able to take in small groups to finish off any practical work but that has now stopped for the time being. Mainly due to the increased number of cases over the past week.

[0DimSumMum0]

To be honest even point 22 on the government website indicates only to exams in England. They are worded very carefully not to include any of the international bodies

[shawarmasue]

We are in the same boat - waiting for more clarification.. will look again at that and point 22 thanks .. it's been a difficulty few days hasn't it ?

[0DimSumMum0]

Yes I have been emotionally all over the place this week. On top it's very hard to see what is happening back home and be so far away. Luckily my son being a typical boy has been quite laid back but I know he is quietly worried. They had mocks back in Dec and had worked so hard since the schools have been closed.
We've just had a press conference here and the exam bodies are still negotiating. Schools not set to reopen on the 20th and closed for the foreseeable future.

[shawarmasue]

I really hope you get some clarity soon .. we are waiting for news here too - also had a few wobbly days here and sleepless nights !

[aibuquestions]

For Pearson Edexcel (IGCSE and IAL) they said if the school is shut no exams, but if the school is open exams should be sat. Perhaps IB will follow that.

[shawarmasue]

Thanks @aibuquestions. Good luck with your DCs too

[KittenVsBox]

My friends abroad are saying the same as aibuquestions.
If school is open, iGCSE to go ahead.
Seems awful if China and other early school closers will have to sit exams after all that has happened this year.
Good luck to all IGCSE and IB students.

[prh47bridge]

schools are closed b it all international students taking the iGCSE are still expected to sit their exams

The three bodies that issue iGCSEs all say that exams will only take place in countries where schools are open and it is safe for students to sit exams as normal. You obviously need confirmation but my take is that your children will not be expected to sit their exams.

The situation with regard to IB is less clear at the moment. They currently say they will announce a decision and the options available by Friday 27th March. However, the information on their website suggests they are likely to follow the same path as iGCSE - exams only in countries where schools are open and it is safe to go ahead.

[prh47bridge]

Just to add, for iGCSE the boards seem to be saying that they will use a process similar to the one being used for GCSEs and A levels to determine grades for those students unable to sit the exam.

For IB the situation is more complicated. If IB has 50% of a student's assessment components for any subject they will estimate the student's performance on the other components (including exams) based on the completed work. It is not clear what they intend to do where they don't have 50% of the assessment components.

[Aligarr]

Where are you based? We’re in the same situation waiting to see what happens with IGCSEs. Schools have been closed for 2 weeks (as an early Spring break) & 2 weeks of online learning now starting. Schools due to reopen on 5th April so who knows what will happen? Trying to keep my son motivated to study & revise but very unsettling, especially with the news for his friends in the UK. Best of luck!

[shawarmasue]

We are in the Middle East and exactly the same situation!! Thank you all - I've got to go and get set up for elearning ( which actually involves trying to get them set up and logged in first ) but I want to come and back to what you've written - I'm at a real loss for information at the moment so it's great to wake up to your messages - we are all in the same boat - I will try and call Pearson on Monday but not holding my breath on that one

[DarkMutterings]

Whilst every country will be different, this is the source I've used for overall what's the plan by examination board - you can swap county so I put it to UAE for you

whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-news/latest-news-a-level-and-gcse-exams-delayed-indefinitely-in-the-uk

Speak to your school, I know our Head is working with all the other heads of international schools in our country on a joint response to the examination boards, and also staff are in touch with each of the Uni kids have applied to.

It's bloody awful hanging in suspense especially seeing the British news of cancelled exams, there's temptation to slow down but obviously the kids can't yet - just in case.

[shawarmasue]

Thank you so much @darkmutterings and everyone else - this situation is bringing out a lot of kindness and big hearts - I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to share this - thanks

[0DimSumMum0]

It's just been announced here that the IB exams have been cancelled so I am guessing it's only a matter of time before the IGCSE's are.

[shawarmasue]

Thank you @0DimSumMum0 I'm glad you have got some clarity -- this is such a trying time we need all the info and definitive decisions we can get !

[0DimSumMum0]

I'm not sure why it is so difficult to call the IGCSE's? The IB and GSCE's are cancelled and the IGCSE's some are cancelled and some are not? I'm really not sure how that can fair at all. Hope we all have a definite answer soon.

[middleager]

My year 9 in the Uk is sitting an early IGCSE. He will have to sit this in November as we had the paperwork from school.

He's worked so hard. He got an A* in his mock and was due to take his first exam April 21st.

I really feel for them.

[0DimSumMum0]

That is an amazing achievement @middleager I'm sure your son will do brilliantly in November.

[BritAbroadiGCSE2020]

We are in Asia. School has been online learning for 3 weeks. Curriculum hadn’t been finished in most subjects when schools closed. Unfortunately the decision was made for Y11’s to go back in today which I absolutely object to. No other school local or international is open at the moment and that gives the exam board the green light for exams. It’s been a really stressful time made worse once the announcement was made in the U.K. Having some take exams and some not is not a level playing field. Sixth form entry, university and jobs will be affected by some taking exams and some not. IGCSE’s internationally need to be assessed in the same way as the U.K. there are petitions on Twitter. Life is stressful enough being away from family and support systems.