What’s happened to GCSE study leave?

[Whywere]

No study leave at all at DS school. Even once exams start. School say pupils grades are higher if they stay at school. Overall this is probably true but I’m thinking probably not for higher achievers.

What’s the arrangements at your school?

@Dodgeitornot because it was the schools with lots of middle class parents who were still going ahead with study leave, and ones like ours in special measures who enforced attendance throughout the exams. I know it was probably the best thing for many, but for those who work better at home, it seems unfair and threats were made for not complying, like not being allowed to prom.

DD year 13 is has to attend as normal until half term - she'll have done at least three exams by then.

Her first exam is on a Friday morning and she has to stay in school for the rest of the day once she's finished. What kind of useful revision's going to get done then?

My ds school have study leave, DDs school don't have study leave because they saw a difference in results when they cancelled all study leave and held booster lessons leading up to each exam. They've just continued since then with no leave.
In Ds school the troublesome kids don't turn up and one year the slt tried to exclude them from the leaving do, parents started threatening to go to the papers and the school gave in. In fairness to the school it was their first GCSE cohort and they didn't want any negative attention as a pretty new school.

Revision for whatever exam she has next presumably.

To be honest I think in a situation like this 'discrimination' if that's what you call it is probably the right thing. Poorer students are far less likely to have a private study space and access to a computer and printer as well as parents who can step in and help them. Not because the poorer parents are stupid and can't, but because they're probably working in an actual workplace rather than WFH.
Each school will know their demographic and I think study leave only benefits the few.

None here either.

When DD said one of their tutors had said school lessons take place as usual throughout exams I thought he was winding the class up.
Then we got an email a week ago saying that no, this year, they will sit exams but have sessions prior to each one depending on their next exam. So a cram session but in school, with tutors.

In my opinion, schools doing this are doing so due to the ongoing disruption and drama caused by lockdowns. My DD started GCSE studies in year 9 (something the school has now dropped) in September 2020, and frankly, had a blasé attitude towards time missed and the appalling online learning. The students then sat "mock mock" exams in June of year 10 (2022) which were a disaster. Ever since they've been chasing their own arse to catch the kids up.

Mocks in January were just as bad.

Frankly, between Covid and now strikes (because over 53% of staff are striking, so year 11 go in but sit on a computer all day, no actual in person learning takes place and barely any work is given anyway), I firmly believe this cohort should be given some form of nod from the DofE like previous Covid cohorts. They're letting this lot down badly.

I expect some very big drops in GCSE scores this year.

I did my GCSEs in 2005 and I think we were one of the first years at my school not to get study leave until after the exams had started. Didn’t realise this was more widespread now. I was so annoyed about it, especially since we kept up with our normal timetable too. I could maybe see the argument for supervised study sessions but I really don’t see the benefit in sitting in a History class when you’re worried about your Geography exam later that day. I just felt like the hard working kids are being punished because others can’t be bothered.

Yes but she won't be in a position to take any of it in so it will be a waste of time. Much better to take a rest and come back fresh to it the next day. You can't just keep cramming stuff in non-stop, especially after an exam. Effective learning doesn't work like that.

The DfE statutory guidance states that “schools must record study leave as authorised absence and that it should be used sparingly as well as only granted to year 11 pupils during their public examination period”. Year 11 students are still of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June.

That is the simple answer. My children were in pre-school booster classes if they had a morning exam, then the exam, then into whatever lesson was timetabled. If that lesson subject had finished exams wise they went into different groups to revise for the ones coming up. They had after school booster sessions too. Both of mine understood that the school and teachers were doing everything within their power to help those children pass those exams and get the highest grade they could.

They were allowed to not come in once the final science exam was held as that is usually the last exam that all children are in for. Then it was leavers' assembly straight afterwards and off school grounds before lunch time started for year 10 and below. Again after this there were morning boosters for the last week of exams or boosters just before an afternoon exam but home at all other times.

There are obviously pupils who will study but lots who won't study effectively.

Study leave for DD’s GCSEs starts tomorrow. Private school. But local state school starts the week after

We live in Wales and they sit 9 exams in year 10 and early year 11, so DS only has 12. It’s a much fairer system and the year 10 exams (proper formal GCSEs) are based on the year 10 part of the curriculum and count for 40% of the totals this year. Same in year 12 (for A levels). Def happier than my oldest son who did probably 20+ at his English school.

I spent all my study leave having sex. It’s probably a good idea to keep the kids in school.

I'm 34 and it existed when I was at school.

I'm north east and we still have study leave. Ours starts in 3 weeks time.

This

My sons school had kids apply for leave and some were allowed and some not.

Correlation is not causation.

Just saying.

Might be good for some. Might be not so good for others who have a different approach to revising.

This made me laugh out loud 😂

Ds2 went on study leave for his GCSEs last year the Friday before his exams started. It was mid May.

I also didn't realise this was the case. Mine are still too young so I can only refer to my own experience in the 90s which was that you finished at Easter and just went in for exams. To be fair, I got a waitress job in a pub that Easter and lived my best life for the whole summer, I wasn't remotely interested in my exams (although miraculously I managed to pass them all) so I think not being 'released' at Easter is probably a good thing!

We still have study leave. Our Yr 11s leave this Friday. I think they need to revise on their own from this point on although I am available to mark essays and have meetings with them if they like once they’re off.

DD’s school cancelled study leave the year she sat her A Levels (2019). We wrote to the school and told them that she would be revising at home, not attending study sessions in school. She was very self motivated and they agreed that she didn’t need to come in. It worked well for her as she revised at her own pace.

For how many subjects?

I'm ancient but I did 9 O Levels, same as everyone in my school. Most subjects had two exams. Some had three.

I remember having study leave for GCSES in the 90s because my parents both worked full time and I was so concerned about my maths exam I had a glass of vodka before going in to school! I got an A 😃

I have not mentioned this tactic to my Y11 or my Y13. Although I might hit the vodka again before June is finished.

My Y11 goes to a naice school and has study leave. My Y13 school is more mixed and doesn’t.

I agree - think this is going to be a bumper year for lower grades. Hopefully the 6th forms and unis will drop their entry requirements accordingly but August is likely to be a bit of a scramble.