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Original poster

Any teachers out there? Wanting advice re. DSs normally high achieving school mock GCSE results.

33 replies

muminthesummer · 11/01/2021 13:29

This is a school in an affluent area which normally gets way above average GCSE results. They did mocks before Christmas and results coming back now are much lower than normal and in some subjects absolutely dire. This is obviously really worrying for actual GCSE marks this summer. What do teachers think? The school had fairly good provision in lockdown one - no live lessons or much in the way of feedback, but quite good lessons on PowerPoint etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
muminthesummer · 11/01/2021 15:10

@MargeryMcLatchie probably although now GCSES have been 'cancelled' I think they'll be some worryingly stressed DC and parents. If it is the case I hope it doesn't backfire with some DC.

OP posts:
MargeryMcLatchie · 11/01/2021 14:59

Presumably it's a strategy to keep them on their toes and working right up to the moment that final assessed grades are submitted.

Original poster
muminthesummer · 11/01/2021 14:20

@Seelineline The marks are read out to the class so ds knows all the marks. The teachers have said the marks are low.
@cptartapp does that mean marks will be low this year or do you think they'll be adjusted with grade boundaries?

OP posts:
Seeline · 11/01/2021 14:16

How do you know everyone elses' mock results?

How do oyu know the mock results of previous years?

It is generally accepted that most schools mark mocks hard, and individual students' grades can increase significantly by the time final exams are taken.

cptartapp · 11/01/2021 14:04

High grades will be really hard earned this year compared to previous years, when you consider most has been done remotely since March and for many, peppered with repeated self isolation.

Original poster
muminthesummer · 11/01/2021 14:01

They're year 11! My Ds actually got towards the top of the grades, though still lower a little lower than expected. A lot of DC who normally achieve well have really flunked them.

OP posts:
SoCrimeaRiver · 11/01/2021 13:43

What year is your DS? Y10 or Y11? I'd be concerned, if Y11, if his marks will be used to help determine his final grade, now summer exams have been scrapped.

How well did your DS engage with the lessons? However good the powerpoints were, if your DS didn't have the self motivation to work with them, he'll have struggled in mocks.

I'd be asking to speak to the head of year, I think, to ask about the mock exam results this year, and see what they say.

EduCated · 11/01/2021 13:37

Bear in mind that the school choose how to set and mark mocks. They may have chosen to mark harshly to give them a kick up the backside about how they are doing. It may not be an indication of how they would have performed in the real thing.

What feedback has your son received? Does he know what he needs to work on?