Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

JCQ and ofqual gcse grade warnings...

138 replies

nostress · 02/08/2014 11:24

There was a news story a few weeks ago and again today (bbc eduation section and the times) warning about the results falling this year. Saying to governing bodies please dont sack heads! I'm very worried for my DS1! I'm just praying that he secured Cs and above.

OP posts:
Original poster
nostress · 02/08/2014 18:09

Now kids have to stay in education or training to 18 I dont think it will be parents paying. But who knows!

Fingers crossed no resits. DS predicted B and C largely and he did put work it. It would be crushing for his Cs to be D!

OP posts:
lljkk · 02/08/2014 17:56

Do they? Ah, I stand corrected. I thought resits were always paid for by parents. Isn't remarking paid for by parents? (Glad I asked)

titchy · 02/08/2014 17:54

State schools would pay for a child to resit though lljkk, same as they pay normal exam entry fees. Much as I dislike current education policy it this change isn't really a class divider.

lljkk · 02/08/2014 17:49

Stupid question but related; I read in The Times (at the library, wouldn't buy it) that any possible resits will be next summer.

It struck me as a huge class divider. Wealthier kids with more supportive parents (& who can afford resit fees and have the luxury of long-term planning so can see the value of it after 1 yr) will get chance to resit. Kids from families with more stretched finances or families don't see the point, so won't get to resit.

I wondered if I was ignorant not to realise that this class advantage was the direct consequence of Gove's reforms to have all terminal-June-exams for GCSEs (?& A-levels too?).

eatyourveg · 02/08/2014 17:18

I saw this and wondered if a school has not historically put pupils in for modular exams and end of course exams are the norm then their results shouldn't be affected other than for the spag and S&L changes in English surely?

Northernlurker · 02/08/2014 15:54

Worrying times for any student waiting for results. I just don't think you can feel sure of anything :(

Original poster
nostress · 02/08/2014 15:42

There are new rules regarding extra time meaning it is much more difficult to get it. Bright dyslexic children who could get it before have had it removed if their processing speed is average. I think these are the group who will miss out on As.

OP posts:
ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/08/2014 13:05

Removal of extra time? I've not heard of that.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/08/2014 13:04

I don't think there's any reason for pupils to worry (any more than usual!) The warning meant that overall results would look different because less year 10 pupils have sat exams this year rather than that pupils' exams have been marked any differently. If anything, I take it to mean that schools' overall exam results will be better as they'll have been taken by older pupils, but gcse results may look worse because of the absence of resits.

Original poster
nostress · 02/08/2014 13:03

Yes I think it means compared to last year. I do think there will be a bigger drop especially in A*s/As and the C/D border due to the new rules on SPAG and removal of extra time affecting 1000's/10s of thousand of SEN kids. And lets not forget the removal of speaking and listening part of the english grade which was previously 20%. I just wonder how much they will let it fall by as I assume they an change those boundaries if the want. 5% drop?

Now that Gove has gone I really do wonder! Less that 3 weeks to go!

OP posts:
Bouncingbeans · 02/08/2014 12:58

Ok, I am confused now as just thought its not the first year that year 10's didnt sit modules, wasnt that last year when the current year 11's didnt sit them?!

Nostress, sure our DC will both be fine :) The closer they get to results the more they think they have failed everything anyway!

Bouncingbeans · 02/08/2014 12:23

DD saw this on the news and it has made her start worrying about results day again, especially maths as a resit in year 12 is her worst scenario at the moment! Apparently because this is the first year that year 10's have not sat modules this could adjust grades across the board (isnt that what grade boundaries are for though?).

The warnings seem to be saying be careful about making comparisons this year because of the transition/changes in the exam process. I assume they mean don't compare to previous years, does anyone know if that is right? Which then means likelihood of lower grades this year although grades have fallen for the past 2 years anyway and I am sure it will not have a drastic impact on individuals (fingers crossed anyway!).

Original poster
nostress · 02/08/2014 11:25

On phone sorry for typos! And can't do links!

OP posts: