Article about parents and pupils pleading for good exam grades

I know, @Alsoplayspiccolo, that's a good point. It still feels wrong, though, what some schools are clearly doing! Wish Ofqual had been more specific, although I'm sure there are very good reasons why they weren't.

From a teacher's point of view it's awful. I've had countless begging emails and it's really upsetting.

Regarding parents reporting schools to Ofqual, it's hardly likely to happen, though, is it, given that those parents' children stand to gain from the gaming of the system?

I have a good friend whose DD has been set maths papers to do under exam conditions, because her mock result wasn't good. I did try to tell my friend that this wasn't really acceptable but she said it was fine, because it wasn't a compulsory task. Obviously, it wouldn't be in her interests to report the school because she wants her DD to get the best grades she can.

Little, it sounds as if your school are gaming the system a bit there.

*DS's school, not son!

@LittleLebowski I have to say your school sounds as if it's on dodgy ground there and I think in your shoes I would be considering reporting them to Ofqual. The set work is one thing - exactly how any school will be able to absolutely verify that assessments done at home are actually a student's own work I have no idea. But most importantly no teacher should be specifying or implying what a student's individual grade recommendations will be! Final grades submitted to exam boards will not necessarily be the ones allocated to students anyway - they could easily be moderated down if the school are seen to be 'over generous' (or indeed up it school too harsh). So your poor DD could easily end up gutted if, for example, she doesn't receive her promised "secure 9". I would be very unhappy if my DS's son was doing this.

Back to the OP though - not at all surprised to read any of that re the parent/student grade pleading but would imagine most teachers will ignore, ignore, ignore. Our school have specified that a standard response email (basically saying that they can't confirm anything) will be sent to any parent or student who asks about grades.

Aragog, so the article in incorrect that schools have been told to stop setting work as it is just that there is 'no requirement'.
Ours is comprehensive, not indie, though views itself as academic and their approach isn't the same as others near us. The letter we got was carefully worded that work since school closure would count and further work would be set, but pupils unable to complete it will not be penalised.
My DD has 3 emails this morning with work (again, let your teacher know if you are ill/can't access a computer), one saying the teacher is waiting on a few essays from pupils, which was important as they were about to "start assigning grades". Also a feedback email telling her what was needed to make her essay a "secure 9". Last week, she had to drop off her art coursework book, with the work set since closure.
So they say too they won't discuss the grades, but it's a bit of a mixed message in that kids are being told to let staff know if there is difficulty completing work. I wish they'd just say that's it!

We are setting work but only counting specific pieces. (Obviously very little is being done... but that is not the point so say SMT).

Parents and pupils have been strongly warned NOT to contact teachers about specific grades. So far they are mostly complying. I think it’s important for teachers to stand firm and not engage with such discussions- no good can come of it!

Little - this was the advice

Should schools and colleges be setting students new work to inform the grade they submit?
There is no requirement to set additional mock exams or homework tasks for the purposes of determining a centre assessment grade, and no student should be disadvantaged if they are unable to complete any work set after schools were closed. Where additional work has been completed after schools and colleges were closed on 20 March, Heads of Centre should exercise caution where that evidence suggests a change in performance. In many cases this is likely to reflect the circumstances and context in which the work is done.

Little - the adviser said that caution should be taken if setting and using anything set to be done after school closures.
Only schools I know now setting work for years 11 and 13 are independent schools who need to justify their fees.

Unfortunately I think it will work in my cases.

Made me cringe a bit, the emails thanking them for teaching their child! 🤢

Just finished reading this article too!
I'm not sure where they get this bit from:
"GCSE and A-level teachers have been told to stop setting work for pupils in a bid to deflect attempts to sway teacher assessments and the final grades teachers they submit to the exam boards."
Our school has clearly said that pupils' engagement with work set since closure and attitude to revision will be taken in to account when it comes to giving a grade and has said more work may will be set until its internal cut-off date of May 15th. The Ofqual statement also didn't say schools should stop setting work, unless I've missed an update?
It certainly contrasts with a report in the Times today that 2 in 3 kids "ignore online classes"!