GCSE summer 2020 thread 6 - Carry on Corona Cohort, Further adventures aboard the Corona Charabanc.

Ds’s school had given reports out with predicted grades out just before lockdown (so that college applications could be made) so I wonder if they can get away wit it on that basis?

I think there’s going to be a huge drop out rate during that first term.

It's definitely against Ofqual rules , monkey...

Tbh, I am more annoyed that we are going to get students into A Level course who haven't got the grade (in my case we are talking grade 3s here...) who will be resitting Eng and Ma GCSEs whilst sitting A Levels that officially require 4s. I can see your perspective might be different if at your school you might ask for 7s to sit an A level but student was demoted to a 6. We ask for 4s in Eng/Ma for my subject . The uptake is huge and we had earlier this year been assuming some sort of natural wastage.

And I think it will disadvantage external applicants to the school , too.

.... although more likely that the school will not disclose the actual CAGs, just confirm that they were good enough to meet entry requirements?

I think it sounds sensible. As long as the school says something like "these are your CAGs, it is likely that some will be adjusted in the moderation process, but you can "be confident that your start at sixth form is secured" or "discuss with us what changes you should make to your sixth form plans"

It will be much better for the mental health of students to have some certainty about next term even if there is still a question mark over the actual grades. It also means that if they may know early that they want to or need to sit the exam.

Wow @piggywaspushed - that can't be good for your fellow teachers! Although as a parent I would like to know, I fully understand why we won't be told.. Our letter re results days this week yet again stated..
As you have been informed in previous emails, your results are being awarded by the exam boards following moderation and statistical analysis of evidence provided by teachers. *Your teachers are NOT awarding you the grade; it is the exam board. For that reason, you MUST NOT ask your teacher about the grade awarded. Ofqual have produced a video clip for students which can be found by following this link Ofqual - guidance for students.
So although I would like to know, I'm pleased the SLT are protecting the staff from potentially awkward converstations with students.

hello everyone!
Totally dropped off the last thread so checking I on this one!

Apparently my school have/will tell kids their centre grades because our entry policy says they can come on to their A Levels with their CAGs if it differs from official grade. I am by this and. Grr.

That's my school for you!

I think lots of them are planning camping which could work well if they each take their own tent. Outdoors is good, so the main issue is how campsites manage bathrooms.

We’ve just had an email from the school with a whole load of updates, but advises that they don’t expect the school to be fully open / back to normal in Sept & will keep us updated.

Thats a good idea @Silverhill Dd OCR anycase..she really wants to carry on with Religous Studies but is a bit torn with trying something new too so Sociology it is ...gir now.

@KingscoteStaff camping ...but in your back garden?

@OrangeCinnamon
AQA. She needs to hang on to it until the school confirms that she can swap. If she can, I was planning to donate it to the school in September (some students are from low-income households).

DD is attending a virtual summer school run by Barts this week.

It is only now I see her exciting and buzzing about it that I have clocked that she hasn't been herself recently. She and her friends are planning a week's camping in August - don't know whether to encourage or squelch their hopes...

No info here as too results day, hoodies or any celebrations. Just that they hope to get year 11 back together “at some point”

No bridging work either, just a half an hour “lesson” once a week for a couple of subjects

Email from school about Leavers Hoodies - am assuming DS will want one

Of course if you have someone local to pass on to am sure that easier with Covid about but happy to pay price & postage if right board

Ahh @wheresthebeach totally get you ..feels like groundhog day atm. Weather doesnt help.

@Silverhill what exam board for sociology ? Might be interested in buying off you if you like?

Hi @OrangeCinnamon - We're off to Cornwall for a week in early July. The cottage owners have been in touch saying they are confident they can open so fingers crossed on that front.
DD can do her sport now, so even tho' all comps cancelled at least she's out and about.
It may be me who's struggling more than her at the moment.

Do you have any time off @wheresthebeach coming up ? I'm think a staycation and planning that may keep DD busy. No-one went for my idea of a local cottage break - luckily nice sandy beach four miles away.

it's a conundrum really because they've already been doing extra work, bridging work , self directed work etc. Not really fair to make them keep on doing it for the next 2.5 months.

Painting fences ?

DD on zoom assembly right now. Talk from Head, New Head of Sixth Form and then subject talks about A levels.

This is her last day...all very depressing. I think it will get harder as the summer progresses and just how much they missed hits home. The 'emergency' aspect kept everyone going think.

Rejoining the thread, after falling off it recently, thanks to lockdown (who knew that all of us being at home would take up more time, not less?!)

DD is just about it finish the bridging course her new school involved her in. I think she's enjoyed it, and it's certainly been hands on and well organised, and given her a chance to meet her new teachers and class mates.

Her current school hasn't mentioned anything about grade rankings, results day, hoodies, year books, no acknowledgment of year 11 now officially being leavers, no misty-eyed videos of them throughout the years...nothing. It kind of makes the situation even worse than it is, as if this is the year time forgot. 😩

She's met up with her BF a couple of times, and her friendship group talk all the time, run quizzes for each other etc, so she's ok. We had a chat about results last night and agreed that resits are not really an option and she may just have to accept slightly different grades than she hoped for in some subjects. Her new school hasn't said anything about lowering requirements for entry; she has to contact them on results day to let them know what she got.

I'm planning on advising Ds1 to NOT sit exams again, in the Autumn.

Seriously? What are thrust chances of getting a better grade? Slim-to-none, me predicts!!

Said child won't have studied the subject since March, so by October, not studied it for 7 months.

And should be concentrating on their A'levels.

Say they got a 7. You honestly think they are gonna IMPROVE and get an 8 in the Autumn? No chance!

We have been told nothing about results day at all - quite a few stay on to the sixth form there but an amount go either to the local college or to other sixth forms so would be quite nice to know what’s happening.

I’ve taken the day off although not really sure why - just feels like the right thing to do I think

@Heifer I think it is clear that very few DC will bother to sit the autumn exams. There could be done awkward conversations where DC tells teacher they want to keep books in case they don't get the grade they want when the teacher may know the grade, at least for the ones in the top end of each ranking.

I thoroughly recommend family cooking rota. We plan it on Sunday night, everyone chooses a day and tells me what they want to cook so I can do the shopping. We have recently gone veggie/pescatarian Monday to Friday and they are definitely more willing to be positive about new things if I haven't cooked them!

Miranda - I would feel emotional too - but DD hasn't had any information regarding leaving assembly etc. Just received an email about results days, basically DD will receive an email at 8.00am. Then from 8.30-11.30 a member of the 6th form team will contact her to discuss her results and next steps. Other support will be available.
So definitely not going into school on the day sadly.
DD will HATE being contacted, it's one thing seeing teachers face to face but she won't want a phone call. Also means that she could have approx. 30mins to finally decide if she wants to stay at her school or take up another offer. I am sure if she decides to leave she will want me to tell her school...

@Monkey2001 - love the idea of the cooking rota. Despite meaning to teach DD how to cook, I've never actually done it. She has only ever baked flapjacks and traybacks without help. Got plenty of time to try I guess :-)

Just realised that as the email I received today also mentions that they want the girls to come into school next week (1 form at a time) and return all text book and resources, then they aren't expecting any to want to do retakes (1st take) in the Autumn, although maybe they assume you will ask to keep the books if you're thinking about it.