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Original poster

Do you think GCSE’s will really go ahead?

78 replies

Lemons1571 · 16/10/2020 21:11

Gavin Williamson says they will. Apparently though there will also be “contingency plans” Hmm

I can’t see how they can possibly make GCSE’s remotely fair, with some year 11’s getting far more time in school, than others who are constantly isolating repeatedly. I don’t think schools will have any legal requirement to provide a proper provision until 22nd October, so that’s 7 months since March of wildly variable opportunity to learn.

What scares me most is the thought of my year 11 sitting an exam where he doesn’t recognise a lot of the content. He works hard but his school have been limited in what they’ve provided to date. And across the country, year 11 are running out of time.

Someone tell me it’ll be alright ConfusedSad

OP posts:
starrynight19 · 17/10/2020 12:34

What happens to the all the students who are self isolating during the exam period next year ?

zaphodbeeble · 17/10/2020 12:36

I’m a secondary teacher and I don’t think they’ll go ahead,

zaphodbeeble · 17/10/2020 12:37

The government have a habit of changing the goalposts every 5 minutes and I wouldn’t trust a word Williamson says

LesLavandes · 17/10/2020 12:44

What about A levels. These are more important

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 17/10/2020 13:03

What about A levels. These are more important

I agree, and I have a Y11 kid

I think they should maybe just give everyone a basic GCSE pass for this year, and maybe even next too.

Regardless of what happens the GCSE grade years from 2020 - 22 will always considered somehow fudged and inaccurate.

noblegiraffe · 17/10/2020 13:14

Ofqual didn’t want exams cancelled in 2020, they suggested a teacher certificate for the purposes of progression (e.g. ‘higher/standard/level 1/fail) they suggested a delay, they suggested multiple sittings of the same qualification so that those isolating didn’t miss out, they suggested schools staying open to exam years only.

Teacher certificate for progression (NOT teacher assessed grades) is something that should be seriously considered.

MintyCedric · 17/10/2020 13:33

I just wish they would give us a proper, coherent, definite answer - and soon.

My lovely 16yo DD is in Year 11. She's bright, hardworking and usually pretty relaxed. Her school have been brilliant at providing and supporting work during lockdown.

I have never known her as miserable and stressed as she is now, the uncertainty, the constant pressure as no-one knows what might have to be used towards her final grades, being unable to actually visit colleges before deciding where to apply for A-levels, virtually no social life.

It's utter shit.

FippertyGibbett · 17/10/2020 13:36

@LesLavandes

What about A levels. These are more important
I disagree. If GCSE’s are the last exams you take they will always be important to you. Not everyone takes A levels.
YellowishZebra · 17/10/2020 13:43

I think they will go ahead.

I think the government expect schools to provide a full remote curriculum if children are off. Therefore in their eyes their is a level playing field and exams should go ahead.

They don't take into account that a teacher on zoom or teams or whatever isn't equivalent to a teacher in the classroom.
They don't take into account that in some schools engagement with remote learning is abysmal (because children don't have access to technology, or parental support or just plain don't care themselves.)

Original poster
Lemons1571 · 17/10/2020 15:29

Our secondary school still won’t do live zoom lessons, they quote safeguarding issues as the reason why not. I don’t understand how other secondary schools don’t have this apparent stumbling block?

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 17/10/2020 15:31

Live zoom lessons really aren’t all that. Pre-recorded lesson materials are most effective, I think they found, due to the ability to access at any time and pause and rewind.

YellowishZebra · 17/10/2020 15:54

We are primary @noblegiraffe so probably very different but we get much better engagement and quality work handed in after our teams lessons than those with pre recorded input. I suppose primary kids are still at the 'teachers watching better be on be on best behaviour' stage, and secondary understand re watching until they get it.

samlovesdilys · 17/10/2020 16:02

I think at least some will go ahead. I'm more concerned at people who have had little provision. Gov have been v clear to schools that they must provide high quality alternatives. We have had 2 year groups isolate this term and both times we were ready with teams lessons the next morning. And laptops/internet dongles given out to those who don't have them. And my school is in a pretty low-affluent area. It can - and should - be done...
Now off to buy thermals to wear under my school clothes as windows/door and fire door all stay open for the foreseeable future... 🥶

Dustballs · 17/10/2020 16:08

Live zoom lessons really aren’t all that. Pre-recorded lesson materials are most effective

This definitely was true for us. Live lessons were interrupted by kids constantly. Pre recorded we could do at our own pace and rewind. They were much better.

BeyondMyWits · 17/10/2020 16:11

I would suggest maths and English be concentrated on if any exams are to be taken.... and give a teacher led certificate of progression for other subjects... allows for a bit of leeway on Alevel, college and apprenticeship entry.

(Dd sitting her last A level on Monday... due to this year's "issues"... fingers crossed for her and all the others who have generally been forgotten about)

Piggywaspushed · 17/10/2020 16:24

Let us also not forget that while a teacher is busy faffing about with a live online lesson for the students isolated at home, she may well also be teaching students in the classroom who need different interactions. everyone I know so far has said live streaming the lesson to a clutch of kids at home negatively impacts on the lesson taught in the classroom.

If they are all at home that is one thing but this is increasingly being avoided.

MintyCedric · 17/10/2020 16:31

Let us also not forget that while a teacher is busy faffing about with a live online lesson for the students isolated at home, she may well also be teaching students in the classroom who need different interactions.

Our school has invested in something called TeachStream which allows kids isolating to take part in lessons from home in real time. We had a block of INSET days at the beginning of term for teachers to be trained, followed by a whole day of the kids using it in all 5 lessons to get used to it, then an early finish day where the kids had to log on to their last lesson from home.

We've done exhaustive surveys on what type of tech all the students have access to and the local Rotary club has generously donated several iPads for those least able to make some kind of electronic provision. We're also setting up a pay-monthly scheme to purchase a school iPad for those that are interested and in a position to do so.

@samlovesdilys is absolutely right - it's a tall order but it can be done.

StaffAssociationRepresentative · 17/10/2020 16:35

I really want them to go ahead. We have a number of year 12 students who are clearly on the wrong course and some who need exams to ensure that the have the knowledge to progress. Some students worked really hard during lockdown and others didn’t - I can really spot the difference.

StaffAssociationRepresentative · 17/10/2020 16:36

And there are a number of year 11 and year 13 who are praying for no exams and as a result there is already stupid behaviour in the classroom

Mylifestartstoday · 17/10/2020 16:39

I’ve got a Year 11 and a Year 13, so concerned with both GCSE and A levels next year.
My eldest needs to sit A levels as her predicted grades aren’t high due as the computerised standard tests give inaccurate results if you are dyslexic so all the way through school she has always exceeded her predicted grades. If she doesn’t take the exams, and the Yellis/Alis scores are used then she will most likely fail.
If anyone could clarify whether these tests were used for this years grades I’d be grateful

FippertyGibbett · 17/10/2020 16:43

My DS did one zoom class but the teacher couldn’t get the audio working.
They spent the whole lesson waiting for someone from IT to turn up. The kids were then emailed the lesson and had to do it in their own time.

Piggywaspushed · 17/10/2020 16:58

DHs school has teach stream. It is phenomenally expensive, so where has that money come from? Additionally, my school network isn't up to it. That aside the point was that while you are faffing about screensharing this is all for the benefit of those at home. Those in the classroom are having their lessons adjusted to fit those at home.

SusannaSpider · 17/10/2020 17:03

Be grateful, my yr11 started sitting them last week. The stress is horrendous, we didn't have great lockdown teaching either.

TheoriginalLEM · 17/10/2020 17:06

I am worried for my DD she works so hard and has dyslexia to contend with, she desperately wants to do sciences at a level but despite achieving level 6+ in her sciences (blatant boast , this is a girl that left primary school unable to read!) Her english/maths grades are sitting at a 4 which is all she needs but if this goes as predicted the poor girl is going to break. She has practically self taught since march, the schools zoom lessons have been less than brilliant

Its heart breaking watching her work so hard when the bunch of fuckwits in charge could render it futile Angry

Cant even blame covid

TheoriginalLEM · 17/10/2020 17:08

@mylifestartstoday my dd is the same, works consistently two grades above predicted grades and is dyslexic also