AIBU to be slightly worried about external exam students?

[GreenlessGrass]

I know there has been a few sort of similar threads (but not really) but it got me thinking. You know external exam students? So of any age, I assume? When they come into school to do exams, why aren't they particularly watched, I get they are in exams, but not beforehand!

You think they're let loose in the school for the day?

Eh? Watched when?

They literally come to reception, get taken to the room (usually separate to the pupils). Then escorted back to reception at the end of the exam.

I have been teaching in secondary for 15 years - never had an external candidate yet. Very rare in secondary - much more likely in an FE College.

What?? Most schools have restricted access with key cards. The students would just go into the exam hall surely? Some people are looking for things to worry about

I wasn't sure, I have a son in a sixth form and am not concerned about him at all btw, he just told me that they had an external student who walked into their hall and out on their own. So I was curious really as to how that works! I'm surprised because it requires a swipe card to get in and they could have potential have gone anywhere after the exam within the school. He was with my son in the exam and 150 other pupils so wasn't separate! I'm not worried about that, but son says he wasn't escorted.

Why are you slightly worried about them?
It can be stressful sitting exams in an unfamiliar place, having done it myself.

Very rare in secondary schools. In FE colleges, they are escorted from reception to exams office, then into exam room, then back to reception.

Well, it seems a pretty extreme way to get access to a school tbh. Dh was an external student when he resat his GCSE English. My kids probably will be one day as they are home educated.

What exactly is the concern about exam candidates and 19 year old sixth formers and whatever else?

Sexual abuse? Terrorism! Or is it just vague idea then anyone without a current DBS is contaminant of some sort?

I genuinely don't get it.

When they come into school to do exams, why aren't they particularly watched, I get they are in exams, but not beforehand!

How much "beforehand" do you imagine there to be?

YABVU to the point of paranoia.

At our school they sign in at reception. They line up with the rest of them or are sat in a different room (but that may be because they have extra time or some such).

You're overthinking it!