to be already fretting about how I am going to get my Y11 to do any academic work now, and what he should be doing?!

[turkeyontheplate]

He's in shock, obviously, but I know once that wears off I'm going to have to deal with "What's the point in doing any school work now?"

I'm going to struggle to answer that...but I don't want him vegetating for months on end either, and I'm worried that we haven't been given any real insight into what lies ahead, just that the exams are cancelled

Anyone else with a less-than-squeaky-clean teen who didn't burst into tears when the exams were cancelled and is going to be swinging the lead all over the place once the surprise wears off?

What on earth happens now? Do we think they will use predicted grades which were set after the mocks? Will they ask the teachers to provide a new set of predicted grades now?

The exam boards, government and schools are no doubt trying to find solutions for a truly unprecedented situation, it's actually worse than wartime, at least then they knew the enemy. Whatever they come up with will be 'wrong' for some and the consequences will be with your youngsters for many years. All you can do is to re-enforce that everyone is in the same boat, that you don't have all the answers to their questions and that all their hard work has not been in vain. If they're tempted to tear up the books etc make sure that they understand that, God willing, this will end and they will be able to move on to the next stage. There will not be the exams but if they are looking to A levels I would be encouraging them to do some on-line work to keep their skills fresh, without the exam pressure they may even enjoy it once the euphoria wears off.

Aveino, did you actually see the Prime Minister speak today?

Yes, I watched it live.

Did you hear him say that the GCSE and A Levels exams in the summer would not happen?

Indeed I did.

They are cancelled.

Indeed they are. This doesn’t mean schools will still be closed in May! It is more likely to mean that it’s not fair on children to sit exams in May when they have had a month or six weeks of disruption to their studies so immediately prior.

Schools are opening up again in, for example, Japan, after having been closed for a few weeks.

We are not going to need school closures for six months!

The thing is noone knows. BJ ssid indefinitely so it could be 3 week or 3 months on more. We can only guess.

I have long-term health conditions, I'm not sure sending my children out to mingle in supermarkets all day is the cleverest plan 

I'm right in the high risk group with virtually bugger all immune system. I'm not stopping mine going out at all. The youngest is Year 8, so once the work he's been set for the day is done, he can fill his boots. Our 18 year old is a professional self isolator anyway, he may venture out sometime in 2021!!!

DH is a teacher and has been told by academy bosses that school holidays now do not exist, and to expect to work rotationally with others while the school can be open. I’m really hoping this means the schools will be prepared to work in August maybe just for year 11 and hold exams then.

I think that people with immune systems compomised are in the last of the vulnerable now aren't they? (self isolation)

I have a year 10, wonder about them also as missing a chuck of their GCSE study.

DD’s just worried they will hold them in September when most year 11’ won’t have been keeping up with learning/revision.
The maybe they should spend their time off revising for their exams?

GCSEs have a resit timetable in September, it's possible they will go ahead, and as the summer exams have not taken place the papers could be used then.

back in the days of O Levels some were taking in November, usually as resits but sometimes taken early.

Depending on how things go I cab see schools opening in August and having GCSEs and A Levels in the September to October period.

@Aveino
Here in HK we're in week 7 of home schooling and the government has said its increasingly unlikely we'll reopen after Easter/April 20th as planned.
China was closed from mid January and is just starting a phased return in some provinces this week.
Both countries have fairly compliant populations - either voluntarily or involuntarily - and yet schools will be closed between 10-13 weeks in a best case scenario and personally I reckon it will be longer at least in HK.

Seriously this isn't 3-4 weeks 'job done' situation especially with half the UK population popping off on holiday, having parties and ignoring all the advice to stay at home!

Agree with @DarkMutterings. People seem to think this is just an extended holiday. Have they not seen what’s happened in other countries? This will take months! Im settling in for the long haul. It’s going to be brutal.

First day here, my year 10 DS was ok doing work but then a teen friend range and they are now doing some kind of noisy online gaming..

I'm not happy, Ok after the school day but not at 1pm-3pm ish. feel this will continue if I don't nip it in the bud. Tricky when other parents don't seem to care.

DD is in a right state. She was supposed to be in school today and tomorrow but they’ve made today the last day for Yr11s. It’s so sudden, she really wasn’t ready to say goodbye to all her friends.

My DS same, he was looking forward to saying his goodbyes. So sad for him and all his lovely friends and teachers. He has loved his school, such a shame.

I'm self isolating but I've been in constant contact with school. Yr11s are gutted. Lots of tears. They have been denied a rite of passage by this pandemic and I am so upset for them. I just want to be out of isolation so I can go in and help. Teachers will provide childcare for 'key workers' kids. I'm ready and happy to do that. I think we will work on a rota to minimise our social contact too. This will continue throughout the Easter holidays too.

Same here babble. Totally unfair