To think the uncertainty facing this years Year 11s is unfair?

[Marcellemouse]

They don’t know if they’re going to sit a final GCSEs or whether everything they do from now on will be used to give them a grade. They’ve been at home self learning for 6 months, now thrown straight back into the deep end with constant tests and talking tos. I worry about the impact this uncertainty and stress is going to have on these 15 year olds. They’ve missed a huge chunk of teacher time and are now expected to achieve amazing results immediately. And that’s without any self isolating which they’re bound to experience a few times at least this year.

My daughter just went back to yr 11 and is constantly coming home saying from what the teachers are implying they won't be sitting exams!
I feel really sorry for them. Just trying to be supportive as I can be.

My dd is finding it so hard. This years year 11’s will have the worst of it, it isn’t fair at all.

Look on it as a positive. Last year's y11s and 13s had it thrust upon them last minute. This year's cohorts at least have the heads up as to what could potentially happen and can put the effort in throughout the year. That effort will either pay off in actual exam results or increasing their chances of good cags.

YANBU. It's even worse for Year 13s though.

My y11 hasn't even made it back into school, her MH has gone to pot.

If she were there, I'd be saying you can't control everything, just work hard and that's all we can ask of you, what will be, will be.

@TeenPlusTwenties I’m so sorry to hear about your dd. It’s so tough on them even my incredibly laid back ds is starting to get stressed.
@SeasonFinale It was awful for last years lot as well. Good advice about being positive thanks.

@SeasonFinale

Look on it as a positive. Last year's y11s and 13s had it thrust upon them last minute. This year's cohorts at least have the heads up as to what could potentially happen and can put the effort in throughout the year. That effort will either pay off in actual exam results or increasing their chances of good cags.

I agree. Dd just finished year 11 and Ds has just started. None of last years kids had the faintest clue what was to come at least there can be some preparation for it this year. Hopefully avoid the complete debacle agsin!

Cancel exams now

My year 11 Ds whole year group sent home to self isolate after a confirmed case. He is not happy and all I can see is this continually happening

I have a DD in yr 11. It is all SO unclear. I’m trying to be supportive but can feel her stress levels rising.

I have one in year 11 and one in year13. I don't know which is worse!
DS1 has already had two weeks isolating due to a positive test in his class. He's to sit a maths test tomorrow (which may count in any final assessment) with only two days face to face teaching since March.
I strongly feel whatever happens with schools going forward, these two years should be given absolute priority.

I’ve got a yr13 and a yr11 this year. The year 13’s year group is just starting a 14 day self isolation period already.
DD3 was yr13 last year and even she said it was easier for them in some ways as there wasn’t actually that much disruption to their learning as they’d been taught most of the subject matter when the schools went into lockdown.

I'm surprised so many people think it isn't an issue (YABU!)

Its a nightmare for the poor kids in Y11 and Y13.
And I say that as someone who's DD was in Y13 and had that nightmare to contend with this year.

The Government appear to be doing nothing to sort the situation out. It's like they just can't figure it out so have decided to ignore it and just hope for the best.

We've had local schools closing year groups already - several Y11s and Y13s out of school for up to a fortnight again.

English teacher here. What I would do is ensure all pupils do at least one standardised modular test in their subject. Could even be set by the exam
Boards.

If they do that November time and a further one February time there is evidence of a grade that can be used

My year 11 dd was in tears this morning - it's so hard on them. Her school haven't decided yet if they will be doing Maths in November and English lit in Jan. Everyone was told to self isolate on Saturday but they were allowed back to school on Wednesday by Public Health as it turned out there had been an error at the testing station and the pupil was not positive after all. Nightmare!!!!!

Yanbu

I have a y13 and am equally concerned

I will be watching how the autumn resits/results go especially as y11/13 could be in the same boat this time next year

Life isn't fair.

Whoever told them it was was lying.

Luckily my year 11 child is still on a high about being back in school. I am quietly worried but she isn't at the moment which is great. I feel for the teachers more than anything actually, it must be so hard to deal with a lot of kids who have done such a varied amount of work over the last 6 months and with no idea what they are actually working towards at this point.

@Slippy78 that’s a bit harsh. There’s normal unfair life and then there’s this absolute shitshow ruining their education/childhood/life changes (albeit ‘Temporarily’ as everyone keeps saying)

Yes it really feel for the teachers too. Must be so hard to plan when they don’t know what’s around the corner either.
Incredibly hard for all the year 13s too - perhaps more so.
It’s such a mess and it’s all totally out of our control.

Teacher here. I'm doing my best to be patient with those who did nothing by choice whilst forging ahead with those who busted a gut. Trying not to push too hard whilst being aware that we could be back online at any time. Trying to get possible "valid mocks" done just in case. It's shit. It's hard. It's not fair. I only teach y10-13 and I'm knackered already. We're doing our best with our hands tied.

And the kids could have sat the exams last year - most schools would have finished the syllabus, the exam settings are primed for social distancing and there would have been no other pupils in school.
My daughter is Y11, moving schools so needs the grades. She is fortunate that she had a full schedule of online lessons, and therefore they are set up should any year group need to isolate. But
I wish the government would make a decision about when the exams will be.
I have heard that employers will take last years A levels results with a big pinch of salt.

YANBU

I actually think this years cohorts dealing with the uncertainty for the whole of the year is worse than the cohort who just had everything cancelled, or I would find it worse if it was me at least. And they’ve missed a much bigger chunk of the time they should’ve been preparing for the exams as well

@araiwa

Cancel exams now

This. They need to know what is happening. Ds's school are doing mocks next month to get an idea of predicted grades in case they have to do exam results.

As a parent of a new year 11, I hope they use last year's system of assessed grades and use the time to catch up modules.

Dd wants to go into teaching so good gcse and correct a level choices are a must.

Luckily she's very laid back and can cope with change so will adapt herself to the situation.

But I feel this years 11 and 13 have it so much harder