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Original poster

Has DS’s school disadvantaged the students by the way they tested GCSES?

64 replies

Bigblueone · 10/08/2021 17:11

They didn’t do mini assessments. They did exams in the style of normal GCSEs. They had no idea what was on the papers and these were the only opportunity they had to show what they knew. DS was told they’ll give out the grades based on what a normal year (pre 2020) would receive. After today’s news I’m concerned.

OP posts:
UserStillatLarge · 10/08/2021 17:46

[quote Bigblueone]@lannistunut but how did so many dcs get As at A’level bearing that in mind?[/quote]
Because (following last year's debacle where the schools that carried out internal moderation lost out) schools will have given the benefit of the doubt to every borderline candidate. In normal exam years some of the borderline candidates will go down and other candidates will have a bad day/circumstances that mean they massively underperform. The number of As produced represents the number of students that could get what schools think is an A if they all had good days.
Of course, if they'd all taken exams and had good days, the grade boundaries would likely have changed to prevent this happening. Because what represents an "A" is never the same between cohorts.

54321nought · 10/08/2021 17:43

No, completely fair. We did this

lavenderandwisteria · 10/08/2021 17:43

It’s not just about sixth form though, surely?

If that was the case all I would have needed at gcse back in the dark ages were three Bs and two Cs, but realistically for most higher level courses they need more than that.

If the OPs ds is wanting (say) to study medicine, or dentistry, he’ll need top GCSE grades.

lannistunut · 10/08/2021 17:40

@Bigblueone

Thanks for the replies. I’ve been really calm about it all but today it dawned on me that he’s probably not going to do as well as other schools because of their approach.
You haven't had GCSE results yet have you?

I am not sure your school will mark your children more harshly. That is what would make a difference, not the type/form of test.

What are you hoping your child will get? If you are hoping they get enough to get into sixth form, and they do, what is the issue? Are they quite borderline as to whether they can get in?

Original poster
Bigblueone · 10/08/2021 17:32

@lannistunut but how did so many dcs get As at A’level bearing that in mind?

OP posts:
AttaGirrrrl · 10/08/2021 17:32

Schools had to submit their assessment policy, rationale and samples to the DFE. If they thought what your son’s school was doing was unfair, they’d have queried it.

Original poster
Bigblueone · 10/08/2021 17:31

Thanks for the replies. I’ve been really calm about it all but today it dawned on me that he’s probably not going to do as well as other schools because of their approach.

OP posts:
lannistunut · 10/08/2021 17:30

@Bigblueone

I know other schools did multiple mini assessments where students knew the topic they were going to be tested on. They also had more chances to prove themselves (I believe some schools were doing 40-50 assessments.)
But the school will still grade them in line with each other.

If an exam is very hard, then a grade 8 could be 60%.
If an exam is very easy, then a grade 8 could be 75%.

Your school sat different exams to the other schools. But your child's teachers know your child and will know a) what they are capable of and b) what would be the expected level for your child in that exam.

lannistunut · 10/08/2021 17:28

All you can do is see how the grades are. If your dc can get to their next step then hopefully all will be well.

This year it is a complicated mess. It is ENTIRELY the government's fault as they dumped it all on schools and made no plans. I am so angry with this government I think I need therapy to get over being governed by them.

FrownedUpon · 10/08/2021 17:27

No, sounds fair. I’m sure he’ll get what he deserves.

Original poster
Bigblueone · 10/08/2021 17:26

I know other schools did multiple mini assessments where students knew the topic they were going to be tested on. They also had more chances to prove themselves (I believe some schools were doing 40-50 assessments.)

OP posts:
UserStillatLarge · 10/08/2021 17:25

There was no central moderation or consistent assessment approach so some children at some school will have done better than similar children at different schools.
There is nothing you can do about it, so best to focus on whether your DS has got what he needs for whatever the next thing is and not to get too hung up on how everyone else does.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 10/08/2021 17:19

Why do you think they have been disadvantaged?

Fiddliestofsticks · 10/08/2021 17:14

I'm sorry but what's wrong with what they did?

They shouldn't have any idea of what is on the paper until they sit the paper. If they've done enough work then they'll be able to answer the questions. If they cant, then they dont deserve a good grade.

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