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Original poster

2022 gcse exams?

95 replies

Wowwellokthen · 17/12/2021 21:48

So much disruption in schools at the moment. My yr11 ds has had 2-3 of his subject teacher (different ones) off school I'll for the last 8 weeks. Now three sets of assessments plus mocks and not having finished the syllabus.

Can't help but wonder if exams might be cancelled again....not sure what I think would be better to be honest!

Thought?

OP posts:
middleager · 20/12/2021 00:57

I have two in year 11 at different schools.
One has had more time off school due to cases, 70 and 50 days of continuous isolation respectively, with one receiving no work right at the start, one has had more supply teachers than the other, one hasn't had a subject teacher for over a year and they have basically had to teac themselves the syllabus!
That's two students, two schools. There is so much disparity nationwide.

gsaoej · 20/12/2021 00:09

I have a Y11 and I think they might go ahead, but amended. Because having TAGs this year would mean that those sitting A levels were not able to sit GCSEs or A levels. Also there is supposed to be some sort of announcement in February that either limits the scope or gives topic spoilers in advance. Mind you, schools teach in varying orders so I don't know how it could be fair to exclude something that some schools had taught but others hadn't. I think that a third consecutive year of TAGs risks undermining the entire GCSE exam process. It's no longer a blip, more of a precedent.

Also, like many my ds has had quite major disruption. One of his main subject teachers has taught maybe 50% of lessons this term due to suffering long covid. Another has had a phenomenal amount of absence (around 70% of lessons missed) although I don't know what sort of problems have caused it. Also ds has himself been off for cough, pcr etc.

cauliflowersqueeze · 19/12/2021 23:37

Seen questions is unfair as they can memorise answers. A limited range would be fair if exam boards had said that with enough time. It wouldn’t be fair now.
Don’t believe any teacher under graded. They did the best they could with the evidence they had. Nobody wants a student not to do well.
Appeals process was fair in my opinion.

LynetteScavo · 19/12/2021 23:10

If there are no GCSE exams for three years, then the whole system should have an overhaul.

Rummikub · 19/12/2021 22:34

Seen questions or a limited range of topics examined.

It’s difficult i agree.

I do agree that TAGs seem farer and are probably a better reflection.

However there could be an issue with perceived bias. I heard it a lot last year from students who claimed the teacher under graded them if they didn’t like each other! And there needs to be a better appeals process.

cauliflowersqueeze · 19/12/2021 22:18

Wow yes same here. My current year 11s are nowhere near the level that my last year’s year 11s were in. Their attainment will not be comparable.

cauliflowersqueeze · 19/12/2021 22:16

Rummicub yes I agree exams are the least unfair option normally, but in this situation are more unfair than TAGs. The exams I don’t think can be amended, as you suggest, any more than the very small concessions which have already been made, because schools have taught the curriculum in different ways and a different order. I’m not sure how they could amend them now and create parity.

Original poster
Wowwellokthen · 19/12/2021 19:38

"Rest of the time" I mean to say

OP posts:
Original poster
Wowwellokthen · 19/12/2021 19:38

@Justwingingit2005

Year 11 DS. He had no psychology teacher for all of year 10. No science teacher at all in Year 11. How can he be expected to take an exam in those subjects !
That's rubbish :( With disrupted yr 9 (no summer term) yr 10 (no spring term) and disrupted learning the rest of the term, I am not sure even TAGs are going to show pupils true potential...all pupils not just my own.
OP posts:
tiredanddangerous · 19/12/2021 19:30

I think we'll be back to TAGS unfortunately.

Justwingingit2005 · 19/12/2021 19:25

Year 11 DS.
He had no psychology teacher for all of year 10.
No science teacher at all in Year 11.
How can he be expected to take an exam in those subjects !

Silkieschickens · 19/12/2021 19:20

Have a y11 DD and would be amazed if it does not go to TAGs now but just hope y11s are allowed in if schools close so can get evidence for the TAGs. Its just non stop pressure and chaos, feel sorry for them. Expecting Jan school closures.

Original poster
Wowwellokthen · 19/12/2021 19:11

@ShanghaiDiva

Dd had her mocks in November and will have TAGs in February. She has been lucky as none of her teachers has been off and she has also remained covid free. I also would not be surprised if January start of term is delayed.
Sounds like she's been one of the lucky ones. It's going to be a mixed bag of attendance and quality of education across the country I think.
OP posts:
ShanghaiDiva · 19/12/2021 19:00

Dd had her mocks in November and will have TAGs in February.
She has been lucky as none of her teachers has been off and she has also remained covid free. I also would not be surprised if January start of term is delayed.

Original poster
Wowwellokthen · 19/12/2021 18:17

Poor pupils (and teachers) having to revise/prepare all Xmas for mocks and plan B TAGs. I do wonder if they'll even be going back for the first part of next term. I suppose there will be some news about it in January.

OP posts:
Rummikub · 19/12/2021 18:03

My dd wants her exams to happen.
I think they’ll be amended.

HelloDulling · 19/12/2021 18:00

I’d be amazed if there are exams. Amazed.

cauliflowersqueeze · 19/12/2021 17:59

Yes I think they will.
There’s been a lot of disruption this term, meaning students are yet again not on anything like an even playing field. The example you give is replicated across a lot of schools, and in many more the students themselves have been off and unwell.

Original poster
Wowwellokthen · 19/12/2021 08:57

Looking more likely isn't it. I suppose it depends on what happens at the start of next term. Ongoing disruption for 2 years and uncertainty makes it so hard to revise and prepare.

OP posts:
WayDownInTheHole · 19/12/2021 00:12

I'm fairly sure they will be cancelled, or seriously amended. Omicron is going to leave us in the same position as we were in in January, if not worse.