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Original poster

Can any teachers tell me if this is allowed?

128 replies

bryheresse · 08/04/2018 16:51

Dd finished school last year and did very well in her essay subject A levels.

Over Easter, she has met up with a friend in the year below, at the same school, taking two of the same subjects that she did. This friend says that all the students in the year have been given photocopies of Dd's A level papers as examples of what the examiners are looking for.

I was rather surprised to hear that the school could just access a student's public exam papers and distribute them, without asking the permission of the student concerned. Does anyone know if this is allowed?

OP posts:
Shizzlestix · 09/04/2018 10:35

We’ve always requested papers back if students achieve amazing essay results. It’s standard in most schools, I imagine. I did the same with GCSE coursework. Once the exam paper is sent, it is not the possession of the student-never is, in fact.

It’s perfectly normal to use another student”s work to show others how to do well. I’ve done it many times over the years. If it’s a current student, I’ll ask them and I’ve done it with low scoring papers too, always with permission if it’s current. If it’s a past paper, no, I haven’t asked.

MissDuke · 09/04/2018 10:35

This was done even in my uni, both good and bad examples of work were shared. They were anonymised though! I definitely wouldn't have thought it would be right that her name would be on it?

Everanewbie · 09/04/2018 10:41

OP has a subtext of not being happy about this. I'd be extremely proud if this had been one of mine, not quibbling about consent forms and copyright. Just me.

MaisyPops · 09/04/2018 11:00

Everanewbie
I agree.
But at least they've checked before calling up the school outraged. Hopefully they'll see it's fine (as long as the name has been blocked off).

RustyBear · 09/04/2018 11:01

This happened to DD several years ago with her English GCSE. One of the questions in the English paper asked them to describe themselves. As she thought no-one except the examiners would ever see it, she wrote an intensely personal piece, describing her insecurities & her fears in great detail. She left the school at the end of the year and went to 6th form college. A few months later she met one of her friends from the year below who told her the piece was being used as an exemplar in their classes as it scored almost full marks. Although they had not told the class who wrote it, it was obvious to anyone who knew her (and a lot of them did) who had written it.

I’m not sure exactly what happened in the end (it was 12 years ago) but I think DD was advised not to do anything by her English teacher at 6th form college because she ‘must have given permission and forgotten’.

I still think that it shouldn’t have been used if it couldn’t be properly anonymised.

RoseWhiteTips · 09/04/2018 11:03

Of course this is allowed. They are given to other students as exemplars. Names of “authors” should not be used, though. C

cricketballs3 · 09/04/2018 11:23

"A level papers cannot be accessed online unless requested and paid for" scripts can now be downloaded free (with Edexcel) - we have to gain the students permission and there is a form with the results for students to sign allowing us to do this. Our form contains 2 tick box options about the use of the scripts i.e. for teacher viewing only or if allowing use of the script in lessons.

It really is (as PP) have stated a very, very useful teaching tool not only for the answer to a question but exam technique

MissWritenow · 09/04/2018 17:37

Standard practice. As a previous poster said, the exam papers are not the property of the student but of the exam board. When they return them they are property of the institution that submitted them. To be honest I'm not sure why you feel it's wrong? It shows she - and her teachers - did a great job, surely that's a good thing?

Sturmundcalm · 09/04/2018 17:44

the story from RustyBear would be my concern - I know that my DD wrote a v personal reflective essay and she would be identifiable to virtually anyone in the year (or two) below even if it was anonymised...

DamnWhyAreAllTheUsernamesTaken · 09/04/2018 17:46

Yes my teachers did it with mine! Bit of a non issue really, it’s helping them learn how to answer the exam questions - what’s better than a real life example? They didn’t let me know either but one of my friends from the year below told me after the fact. She said it was a really helpful exercise but my handwriting was terrible haha. In the grand scheme of things does it really matter?

TheJoyOfSox · 09/04/2018 17:48

just an excuse to stealthbrag?

My first thoughts too. Why would it bother you?

Chickoletta · 09/04/2018 17:53

Yes, totally normal.

RoseWhiteTips · 09/04/2018 17:55

Lots of not so stealthy bragging popping up now. Oh dear...!

beautifuldaytosavelives · 09/04/2018 17:55

Absolutely. Schools and colleges are able to apply for return of scripts to use in teaching. However, the candidate does have to sign to agree and say whether they would like them anonymised. See JCQ regulations for more information, but as a head of centre, I have them returned in every subject for teaching purpises

ktp100 · 09/04/2018 17:56

It is allowed and I genuinely don't see why you'd have a problem with it. She sjpuld take it as a compliment that her work is being presented as an excellent example of an exam question(s).

GemSparkles · 09/04/2018 18:01

This can only be done if your daughter has given her permission whether they are anonymous or not. This is per JCQ guidelines (the body who oversee all external examinations).

lolalola19 · 09/04/2018 18:05

It is allowed but names are supposed to have been removed.

manicmij · 09/04/2018 18:10

Should be anonymised but is allowed.

Caribou58 · 09/04/2018 18:20

Ex teacher here. Perfectly normal - why would anyone object? Children's work is often plastered all over the walls, after all!

WhaleTasting · 09/04/2018 18:20

'd be so proud that my daughter's work was being held up as an example of academic excellence. So should you.

Well that depends on what was written doesn't it! Also on the sort of person the dc is. I'd have hated my private thoughts being broadcast that way.

Splodgeinc · 09/04/2018 18:22

Not quite read the whole thread but this happened to me. Not a stealth brag. GCSE coursework shared as good example. Shit school. You were bullied for doing well. I had left by this point but my younger sister was then bullied because of it.

Armi · 09/04/2018 18:23

Fucking teachers. There they go again, ruining lives with their exemplar essays, high praise and desire for students to achieve.

Arseholes.

Hmm
Splodgeinc · 09/04/2018 18:23

So not always a compliment - well the teacher might of lent it as a compliment but if your bullied because of it not such a great idea

Splodgeinc · 09/04/2018 18:24

*meant

FaveNumberIs2 · 09/04/2018 18:47

Why can’t you just be pleased that someone thought dd’s work was good enough to be used as an example of the examiner’s expectations??

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