Do you think A levels will go ahead as normal next year?

My DS would have been due to have a formal exam week straight after Easter which would have been a significant part the assessment process for his predicted grades. Instead, they did online assessments in that week and they were required in some cases to enable the cameras on their laptops. They were told that the actual exams would take place “as soon as school reopens” but, seeing as that’s likely to be Sept, I don’t know about this now. So they’re going to be given “working predicted grades” in June. This is an independent school. I can’t complain about the online provision though as it’s been excellent.

Goodness Zombie that's a bit harsh. At 17/18 these young adults need support and guidance which schools should be providing. Yes they can do a certain amoun themselves but if was that easy they wouldn't need to go to school in the first place!

DD in yr 12 is doing an extended diploma in art.Shes been working hard but her final project needed the facilities in college.
She doesn't mind being at home but is realising that she is less energised and her project has stalled as she is trying a lot of ways to achieve what she wants.
She's already decided to do a foundation coarse hopefully she'll be able to see how the land lies when that starts.

If state school children have been lying in bed rather than studying then its their own fault if they dont do well in 2021.

I think they will go ahead, with perhaps some changes to paper formats to give more question choice. I’m on charge of Sixth Form in a state school and am trying not to worry too much.
Our teachers are teaching a full timetable online, we’ve managed to get laptops (and, if needed, WiFi dongles) out to all of the year 12s that didn’t have access to a computer during the school day, and they have been brilliant so far in terms of engagement with the work. We’re doing all we can to minimise any disadvantage, but I know we can’t eliminate it entirely. Still, I could not be prouder of our students (or their teachers) right now.

Surely schools will have to do grade assessments because they will be needed for university applications. I wonder how many schools are doing end of year exams to support this data? There seems to be a lot of on-going assessement for A levels so I wonder if it is easier to predict grades than it is for GCSEs.

What will they do about actual gaps in learning though, given that they will transfer to A levels and there will be an assumed level of knowledge or competency to allow them to proceed?

I wonder if they could do teacher assessment again? Schools that have provided next to nothing this term could take this into account, but say something like “in normal circumstances, this profile of student would have been on the trajectory for a x grade.” I don’t know if that would be possible? It has been certainly the case this year, that some schools have had more “evidence” to assess grades on because they snuck in some online exams after Easter to support their grade assessments and rankings, whereas most schools wouldn’t consider anything handed in after March 23rd.

Sorry I didn't answer the question. Yes I think the exams will go ahead next year but there will be a right hoo ha if, when the results come out, there is an even larger gap between state and private (which given most private schools are continuing with education through on-line lessons, there probably will be).

In an idea world there would be consistency in the provision for education within the state sector. The education of our children is paid through our taxes. I think we all knew there were good and bad schools, heads and teachers but wow this situation has really shown just how much difference there is.

I hope after all this is 'over' there is a good look at how the education did or didn't function and what needs to change so that it can offer, as mush as possible, a consistent approach across age groups.

I would also point out that this time next year, the current year 12s will be doing their exams, they will then be off to university where they will need to be motivated, self disciplined and be able to ask for support when needed. This is an opportunity to develop those skills.

As a matter of interest if your child isn't getting much contact with their teacher and not receiving support - have you asked the school, what has their feedback been?

This will make the divide between state and private schools even wider.
I don’t hear of any private schools being pulled up the way some state schools have with regard to online learning. Some of the stories are very sad. Teachers blaming the HOD, SLT or the government.

The problem is, where the home environment has become the school environment, it’s wouldn’t even be fair to adjust boundaries according to some weighting as to how much online provision a school has offered. There would have been some students for whom the provision has been very good, but their family has been ill; they live in cramped, inner city conditions; maybe with both parents working or lots of young children running around constantly. It’s impossible to assess the overall situation for everyone.

By anyone ...I mean the Dept. Of Education downwards, not teachers!

Well let's just hope they aren't cancelled again

Anyone with an iota of sense would have already started a sudden plan for mini assessments or coursework for next year's exams. I don't expect that has happened.

Hablar * I hadn't heard about that, a reduced number of available uni places is a worry...

In an ideal world, the grade boundaries would be adjusted per school to reflect the quantity /quality of teaching during lockdown.
I know this will never happen but the current system will lead to huge inequalies in qualifications.

I’ more concerned about a lack of uni places for 2021 as I heard of some unis offering guaranteed deferred places if this year’s students aren’t happy with the teacher assessed grades and then make the grades in the autumn exams. They dint have to reapply - their place just carries over to 2021. Cambridge have pledged this to all conditional offer holders, by the sound if it.,

Lots of other students due to be starting uni In September seem to be deferring as they don’t want to pay accommodation / fees do a term online.

We all understand grade boundaries will adjust next year but this will not take into account the hugely differing provisions in online learning between schools.

I couldn't agree more with @GravityFalls