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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you have a child who is in/has been in/is about to be in Y11/13 this/last/next year?

19 replies

BigWhooper · 06/09/2021 23:43

If so, can we all come together on this thread and acknowledge that our kids have had an incredibly tumultuous journey towards/beyond their exams during their peak coming of age years and pledge that we will SMITE with vengeance any arsehole anywhere who talks about grade inflation. Even if we know some schools have done things differently etc, that's not the issue. Our kids are doing great and no one gets to lead us into divide and rule.

OP posts:
SachaStark2 · 06/09/2021 23:48

Not a parent, but a teacher of Year 11, and I definitely agree that “my” kids have been through the ringer. We refuse to listen to any nonsense about grade inflation at my school.

And now the new Year 11s don’t even get to know how their exams will be modified yet, as the government apparently can’t get their act together before Christmas to sort it out 🙄

elliejjtiny · 06/09/2021 23:51

Me. When the first lockdown was announced my ds1 was a squeaky voiced 13 year old year 9. This week he starts year 11.

Rabbitheadlights · 06/09/2021 23:57

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 agreed although I have no idea how my DD y11 will even be evaluated this yr, she's done little to no actual coursework that I'm aware off and will assumedly sit exams in may/June?! It's dispicable.

Original poster
BigWhooper · 07/09/2021 00:01

@SachaStark2 thanks for having our kids' backs. Us parents don't get to talk with you lot as much as we did previously but we totally appreciate you all and know that you have our kids' best interests at heart.

OP posts:
Original poster
BigWhooper · 07/09/2021 00:09

@Rabbitheadlights they're making it up as they go along. Nobody knows what the hell is happening. Other than that when the results do get published they're all inflated by our snowflake kids. 🙄 Apparently. 🙄 Like any of the people criticising would have just knuckled down and got themselves through a level physics (for eg) by the sheer power of gumption, wwII spirit and a sprinkling of princess Diana

OP posts:
Sh05 · 07/09/2021 00:13

I agree completely. My Ds is going into yr 13 and DD into yr 11, how can this government be still so indecisive on this year's exams? I just don't get it. Theyve had two sets of GCSEs effected already but still have no idea about the next one's.
Honestly the kids and teachers are are to be commended. Schools won't know until the last minute what's happening and they're supposed to just deal with whatever Mish mash solution the government pulls out of the bag!

CoRhona · 07/09/2021 00:48

DS1 didn't sit his A levels; DS2 didn't sit his GCSEs.

DS1 now going into 2nd year of uni and really enjoying it. Whether DS2 finally sits his A levels this year remains to be seen Hmm

0DimSumMum0 · 07/09/2021 01:28

Me! I have two boys one in each year and a few weeks in (not in the uk so been back at school for 3 weeks already) and it's already been super stressful! I am wondering how we are all going to make it through to the exams!!

LoveFall · 07/09/2021 01:38

DGS is today spending his first day in residence at university. He has worked so hard, having to complete a year's math curriculum in a few months, biology the same. We don't have A levels here but he had difficult exams and math tests every day. It was very tough on them.

We are all really missing him already. I am just hoping he settles in and enjoys the experience.

But yes, grade inflation my a--.

Rabbitheadlights · 07/09/2021 08:07

@BigWhooper any of the people criticising would have just knuckled down and got themselves through a level physics (for eg) by the sheer power of gumption, wwII spirit and a sprinkling of princess Diana love this.

My DD has ASD and us an anxious bad of nerves and pent up stress on a good day ... She's really struggling at the minute.

pointythings · 07/09/2021 08:23

I've had two - my foster son last year and DD2 this year. It has been beyond hard for them. Foster son got hit by the algorithm - fortunately his uni place was unconditional. DD2 worked incredibly hard and was assessed in the toughest of ways, and exceeded her offer. I've seen the toll it took on both of them. Anyone whingeing about grade inflation will get short shrift from me.

mbosnz · 07/09/2021 08:26

I've got one in year 11, and one in year 13. I'm so impressed with how they are keeping on, keeping on, head down, arse up. They know they can't control covid, or what the idiot fuckers in charge will do, so they're doing what they can, which is their best. Cynicism reigns supreme in this household!

Whitefire · 07/09/2021 08:30

Yes I have a DD going into year 11, it's just a mess.

fiftiesmum · 07/09/2021 08:42

Statistically the extra 20% who were awarded A/A* by teacher assessment and got into a more competitive course than they would have done by doing traditional exams may find they struggle in their course.
Fortunately the actually grades each year only compare against that years cohort as a way of getting through the door to the next stage of education.
Those who were at Oxbridge a few years back (?Boris etc) will have had offers of 2 E grades at A level.

Hdhdjejdj · 07/09/2021 08:45

I have one in Year 11. It’s a confusing time.

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 07/09/2021 08:46

I had a dd in year 13 in 2020 and a ds in year 13 2021

I did a bit of smiting with dd and i think i smited enough that I didn’t need to do any with ds2

Good luck to all those doing exams this school year! I have a smidge of hope that gavin williamson and his pals don’t fuck up yet another year

WaltzForDebbie · 07/09/2021 08:58

There is grade inflation though isn't there. Confused It's unfair on kids who sat exams last year or will sit this year.

Doesn't take away that they have had a truly rubbish time though. Sad

3scape · 07/09/2021 09:02

My daughter is in year 11. Her school have made it very clear anyone behind on their original predicted grades only has themselves to blame, I take it this stance comes straight from the "get what grades you pay for" government. We are on our own covering the (huge) amounts of the syllabus the teachers haven't touched. There's no in it together from me I'm afraid.

pointythings · 07/09/2021 09:59

I don't think you can simply argue that there is grade inflation without first trialling a system where everything is teacher assessed (with moderation) and seeing what happens. How do we know that these grades aren't actually a more realistic reflection of what our DDs are capable of? The one shot exam system benefits some students but disadvantages others. Teacher assessed grades do the same.

I grew up in a system where half your mark is internal (and moderated) and the other half is national exams (but no competing exam boards, just one which is run by the State so everyone sits exactly the same papers). It felt a lot more balanced than the UK system.

One shot exams are also not a reflection of how things work in real life.

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