GCSE English Lit and Language review of marking

That is very unfair.

And definitely wrong that some schools are doing nothing between results and the start of term. I can't see why the EO couldn't just send those vital papers straight off.

@OhCrumbsWhereNow I know as some of DCs friends have missed out on places at 6th forms due to not having reviews back yet as DCs school hasn't sent them and they missed meeting entry requirements (obviously the reviews may not result in changed grades anyway but the whole process has changed what these DC are studying and where.)

It just seems a lottery and some schools and pupils access the early bird tickets to the review system while others don't.

@Examinetheexams except that for some children their places at 6th form depend on getting the English and Maths grades, or a specific grade to allow them to do particular A levels.

They definitely need them back as soon as possible - waiting for start of term isn't really fair (plus schools don't all start at the same time).

Those who would just like to check subjects near boundaries or because something feels off, but where there is no difference for next steps are all fine to do them before the 25th September deadline.

@CocoPlum 25th sept for AQA. Schools will likely have an earlier deadline

@Examinetheexams we have a cohort of 200. They each do 4 English papers. I examine 2 of the 4, so I get a lot sent my way.

I don't mind, because it's important that they're looked at by an expert. But I have a number of whole school roles, and I don't get any time to do this, or any time back for doing it. Today, I had one lesson and the rest of my day was spent supporting colleagues with various things - it's important that they are ready for the new year.

But that means I've had no time for anything else. I've literally just sat down with my dinner!

Reviewers are the most senior people.

That is a huge extra workload at the start of term. @MrsHamlet this is intriguing - how many of your pupils does that correspond to? What proportion does that represent of those being entered by the school? Is it both Lit and Lang papers?
Does this happen to the same degree in other subjects? Obviously English and maths are particularly important due to entry to other courses / compulsory resits but do maths teachers have as many people querying results?
At the end it would be really interesting to hear how many papers you suggest pupils put in for review and, of those, how many grades change (& the degree to which they change.)

Like previous posters I appreciate you giving us insight into the other side of the system. Do the examiners completing reviews have to be more experienced examiners?

@CocoPlum i agree it’s really dragging out the process. It would feel fairer if all schools had to wait until Sept to submit due to holidays but some children already have results back from review.

What's the deadline for sending for review please @MrsHamlet? I hope I haven't offended you - I don't want the teachers working in their break, I'm just frustrated that timelines/our school's process wasn't communicated until today so I assumed it had already been actioned.

Sorry for bring a grump. It's been a very trying day!

But there is plenty of time...

And thank you for the time you spend with us here too @MrsHamlet

Unless your onward path depends on a grade change, there really is no rush. You have till almost end of September to submit for review.

I made a point of telling school not to worry about ours until they had done the priority ones.

@Examinetheexams - school were keen as was she, I wasn’t fussed. It gave her a full set of 9s and as she wants to do medicine it seemed worth a go. But I doubt it’s as crucial as all that.

I have more than 60 individual scripts from students in my inbox now. I cannot work any faster, and I have the rest of my job to do. Today I've been out of the house for 13 hours and I have more to do tonight. It's day three..

I know it's frustrating. But most of us are doing our best.

Yes like pontoon you could go bust!

@katgab interested why you put in for the review with an 8 in the bag for your DC? I guess just thought it was worth seeing if there was another mark somewhere & they had clearly under marked somewhere.

Rather envious of the schools where exam officers have been working between results day and school opening. Not a lot of urgency from DCs school, we’ve now heard back from them & DC has requested their papers.

Maybe they could make an exception and go 9*?? Seriously though , V well done to your DC

I agree though. I find it shocking and it undermines the whole system. I’m sure certain schools, parents, DC more likely to get a review. Uh - anyway. GCSEs are quickly starting to feel part of history

@Bufftailed - upgraded to a 9 so nowhere to go but given how random this seems to be who knows 🤣. Honestly, much as I’m pleased for her and all the youngsters who get upgraded, they really need to get this sorted. How can anyone have any faith in the results especially given how important they are for the next steps?

Excellent! If she is one mark short of next boundary maybe you could get another review 🤣🤣

Excellent! If she is one mark short of next boundary maybe you could get another review 🤣🤣

Dd has been upgraded by 10 marks on lit paper 1 so it has taken her up a grade. She was 1 mark short of the grade boundary. Obviously very pleased for her but really don’t understand how this works.

DD's grade did not affect her place at 6th form or her subject, but her friend asked for a review to see if she could have achieved a 4 ... she hasn't heard anything and has had to start college on a lower level BTEC.

That wait is so frustrating
DS's school out in for the remark the day the results came out and got his result first thing on the Friday after. It meant he could start College on Monday with his new (improved) grade

I’ve been following this thread out of general interest as it isn’t English that is meant to be being reviewed for DS, but he’s in a similar position. School suggested reviewing two of his when he got his results, and we also asked them to look at one of his other papers as there was such a difference between the two, and what he expected. After filling in the form whilst we were there we have heard nothing since. I obviously understand it was holidays and his wouldn’t have been priority either but it is getting a bit frustrating not to have had anything at all from them.

School told me they would submit within a week but yesterday said they are submitting this week. I would rather a fast response, but it won’t change options or school for DC so it’s ok. I’d rather not be waiting 4 weeks 🤦🏻‍♀️

So I've been following as DD filled out the form at school on the day requesting review - she was expecting 8/9 and got a 6 (AQA language).

We've literally just had an email from school saying "we have requested to view your exam papers and will decide if it needs review".

No I don't expect teachers to work through the holiday but we filled that in 2 weeks ago and the teachers are only just requesting papers!

@Foxesandsquirrels Thanks, all we've had so far is the initial script, which his teacher has looked through and feels the annotated levels are quite harsh, and certainly quite a lot harsher than his paper 2 which was in the correct order. School haven't put in for the review yet so we haven't had a remarked script back yet like you describe, but thank you - that is really helpful to know what to expect when we do.