Changes to GCSEs 2021

[SusanAmos]

Hello all,

New mumsnetter here, so please bear with me.

This thread was just to ask what you think of the newly announced changes to GCSE 2021.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-55160374

Thanks, Susan

The good thing is that a decision has been made now, indeed I think it should have been earlier.

I think that it will still leave those who sit exams in 2021 with GCSEs that are devalued compared with other years.

@nosswith

The good thing is that a decision has been made now, indeed I think it should have been earlier.

I think that it will still leave those who sit exams in 2021 with GCSEs that are devalued compared with other years.

I agree, my son is sitting his GCSEs this year, and we have been left in the dark about the changes! But this is looking like a good response to one of the biggest issues faced in education due to this pandemic.

I think the formulae sheets is a no brainer, don't know why they didn't do that in the first place.
Backup exams in July looks helpful.

Knowing topic areas in advance? Depends how they do it. It helps reduce stress, but probably doesn't really level the playing field much.

I'm not too bothered between year groups and grades and grade inflation as GCSEs are mainly most useful for accessing 'next' courses, and less needed once people are in their 20s.

I am also pleased that exams are taking place. All are judged the same, no allegations of favourites of teachers, for example.

Contingency exams for those isolating.... wait, what? In late June/July?

Great so back to normal by Easter is all bull then.

Sucks to be a secondary teacher in 2020.

Gavin Williamson you are a disgrace.

Oh... and 2021

Dd is doing A levels and is sad that her results will be devalued, but understands why they are doing it.

And she's pleased that exams are going ahead.

I suppose the problem is @monkeytennis97 is that the current vaccines aren’t currently authorised for the use on children so assume there could still be disruption in schools. You have my sympathy both from my position as a Y11 parent and as a school governor.

The results won't really be 'devalued'.

The GCSE/A level results will get her to college / university / job, and then won't matter so much. It is more likely that in 10 years time people will forget they were a pandemic year, so if anything will appear 'better' rather than be devalued.

How does this make it fair for example my dd is on her fourth lot of isolation compared to those who haven’t had to isolate once since September. Will every child get the same grade adjustments.

Many subjects already know in advance what their topics are going to be so I’m not sure how this helps either.

I assume it will be a bit like the students for last year where some will definitely have higher grades than they would have achieved if GCSEs had been normal.

One issue will be if students are put on courses with inflated grades which means they aren’t actually a suitable candidate for that course.

Nothing about the situation is fair.
All options open to the government are unfair in some way.
At least this way is relatively transparent.

If schools set their own grades, after the debacle last year with A Levels schools would just massively inflate grades with the expectation that public pressure wouldn't allow them to be adjusted.

DD2 is in Yr13 - I think knowing ahead of time which topic areas will come up is the least worst way forward as it allows schools to teach what's needed and it is then up to students to put in the necessary revision.

I don't think exam results will be considered devalued - the fact that this is a global pandemic era isn't likely to be forgotten any time soon.

The least worst way forward is very good way of describing it. No perfect way in current situation, but we're very happy that exams will go ahead.

My ASD year 11 DD is very happy today - she likes the certainty that exams will go ahead and that adaptions are being made. Uncertainty is not good for anyone and is of particular concern for those with ASD - so I am pleased she feels she can see a way through Year 11.

I think they will definitely be devalued, even if just in an informal context. This is not to say its not the right, or least worst, decision. Certainly parents didn't post so many glowing Facebook posts this year!

Thank you all for the responses, great to be part of a great discussion so thank you very much everyone!

Also how do they plan to fit in resits for those children who will be isolating. Exams are now three weeks later. Schools close the middle of July. Have they realistically got enough time to resist / or get teacher assessed grades before the summer holidays !

@starrynight19

Also how do they plan to fit in resits for those children who will be isolating. Exams are now three weeks later. Schools close the middle of July. Have they realistically got enough time to resist / or get teacher assessed grades before the summer holidays !

Completely agree, thank you for your input into this discussion!

Back up exams in July. I wonder who he thinks will want to mark over the summer holiday after the shitshow that has been slung at secondary teachers this year.

DS is pleased exams are going ahead and the uncertainty has come to an end. I think no matter what they do GCSEs for 2020 and 2021 results will be deemed unfair by some people, but it's true they are just a stepping stone to the next stage.

Just spoke to my son who thinks it's unfair for kids who have done lots of work(not my words, his). I explained that many kids have been isolating for long periods and may not have had the support he has but he wasn't having it. So, I told him to "stay in his lane" .

I feel for now it will take the pressure off mocks in Jan as some schools have been focusing on these in case the exams do not go ahead, which we are finding stressful. So that is a good thing.

@Orangeblossom77777

I feel for now it will take the pressure off mocks in Jan as some schools have been focusing on these in case the exams do not go ahead, which we are finding stressful. So that is a good thing.

Ours have just finished mocks!

Ours have just finished mocks!

We have them right after the Christmas break...still going ahead as planned...