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Original poster

Schools should stay open for Years 11 and 13 or many are doomed

108 replies

Coronadisasterclub · 27/12/2020 20:00

They've had such a terrible run of things and if they don't go back after Christmas I think GCSEs and A'Levels are absolutely doomed. They're barely going to cover the course and many DC are at an all time low. I am really worried about what the long term consequences of this could be well after Coronavirus is a distant memory.

OP posts:
GawdrestyeJerryMentlemen · 27/12/2020 20:02

But what if it is just repeated self isolation for year groups as it has been at Dds school for last 2 weeks of term. Keep them open all you like. It won't stop teachers, pupils and families getting sick.

Original poster
Coronadisasterclub · 27/12/2020 20:10

Our school's home learning really isn't great. No live lessons or anything like that so TBH, in and out of school is the better option for us.

OP posts:
FoxinaScarf · 27/12/2020 20:22

Year 10s too. I don't know why Yr 10s are never mentioned. I think they are the most disadvantaged year group of all as that is the year the bulk of the GCSE syllabus is covered.
GCSEs start in Yr 9 so the current Yr 10s missed the last half of Yr 9 plus a lot of this current Yr 10, they are at a real disadvantage compared to all the other year cohorts.
Yr 10s should b prioritised.

Orangeblossom77777 · 27/12/2020 20:26

Yr 11 here, meant to have GCSE mocks week of 18th Jan.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 27/12/2020 20:31

@FoxinaScarf year 11 missed the bulk of year 10 and a lot of year 11 in some cases , year 10
Can hopefully all things willing have time to make up they are not sorting gcse in 5 months time , at present year 11 are

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 27/12/2020 20:32

** sitting
Also lots if schools choose gcse in year 9 to start year 10/11

UncomfortableSilence · 27/12/2020 20:43

I agree OP however Y11 DD missed so much teaching time last term, two lots of isolations, mocks were moved to accommodate the isolating ones, constant supply teachers, I can't even comprehend the impact of another term like that one.

Online provision wasn't great at her school and whilst she really has worked so hard she needs to be with her teachers in school.

AnnaForbes · 27/12/2020 20:53

I hope y11 (I have one) continue to attend school. It's imperative if they are to sit exams. Home learning was a really poor substitute for classroom based teaching.

Lemonpiano · 27/12/2020 20:56

"Doomed" is a tad dramatic.

CarryOnFestiveNamechanging · 27/12/2020 20:59

I think years 10 and 12 too.

starrynight19 · 27/12/2020 21:01

My year 11 has isolated four times now. Barely been in last term. Ironically her last lot of isolation was because of me catching it from my school. She missed her mocks.
So for her it’s a shit show anyway with schools ‘open’.

MoiraNotRuby · 27/12/2020 21:03

I have a year 11, my academic aim for him this year is to get a place in 6th form at his current school. I tell him to do his best and the rest of it will be figured out even if it's different to normal. That's all we can do really... its year 13 I feel sorry for.

Orangeblossom77777 · 27/12/2020 21:03

They have finished the GCSE course anyway by now and focus on revision going forward. there are excellent online resources and books - we will probably just focus on them.

oxydrive73 · 27/12/2020 21:04

I have a Year 11, I am at peace with the fact that exams will be thwarted in some way, the worst-case scenario is they are redone next year. My real worry is that they say no exams and that's it for them. I can't bear the thought of him not having anything to do from now till September. It happened to last years, that's my real concern.

Orangeblossom77777 · 27/12/2020 21:05

They have said exams are definitely going ahead oxydrive but topics given, generous grading etc. Our mocks in some subjects are getting the same treatment (well meant to be as in few weeks time)

Letseatgrandma · 27/12/2020 21:05

Do you have children in year 11/13, by any chance, @Coronadisasterclub?Grin

Orangeblossom77777 · 27/12/2020 21:06

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

last year was different as lockdown just before the exams in May.

Hangnailing · 27/12/2020 21:06

@Orangeblossom77777 my DD has most definitely NOT finished being taught the syllabus in any of her subjects.

oxydrive73 · 27/12/2020 21:08

@Orangeblossom77777

They have said exams are definitely going ahead oxydrive but topics given, generous grading etc. Our mocks in some subjects are getting the same treatment (well meant to be as in few weeks time)
In a global pandemic full of government u-turns, that means nothing.
starrynight19 · 27/12/2020 21:08

[quote Hangnailing]@Orangeblossom77777 my DD has most definitely NOT finished being taught the syllabus in any of her subjects.[/quote]
Mine either , she has missed so much now it’s going to be impossible to catch up. We have already discussed resits. Her mental health was spiralling with worry.

QueenieButcher · 27/12/2020 21:11

@Orangeblossom77777

They have finished the GCSE course anyway by now and focus on revision going forward. there are excellent online resources and books - we will probably just focus on them.
Are you having a laugh? Nothing like finished here!
Orangeblossom77777 · 27/12/2020 21:12

I really hope they do go ahead. Mine too has missed quite a bit, I was just referring to what teachers said during a zoom parents evening, that usually they finish the course by Christmas and focus on revision from then forward. (think they were reassuring me there would be time to go over stuff) - if they are not closed that is.

Ours was doing after school extra sessions till 5.30 prior to the break also for some subjects.

LynetteScavo · 27/12/2020 21:22

GCSEs start in Yr 9 so the current Yr 10s missed the last half of Yr 9 plus a lot of this current Yr 10,

Many schools don't start GCSEs in Y9. DD started in Y10, apart from History which her teacher started teaching at the very end of Y9.

Some Y11s have had mocks, after missing much of the autumn term, others are revising over the Christmas holidays for mocks when they go back, not having been off school at all.

I would say all exam years need to be off or none, and it shouldn't depend in tiers, but it's already such a mess I don't know what the answer is.

I do think it was premature to cancel exams last year, and they could actually have gone ahead. The government probably recognise this now and if they cancel exams it will be at the last minute.

SaltyAF · 27/12/2020 21:26

Well, I'll do what I have to do but if I get ill in recuperating and won't be doing live lessons. I think online is more sustainable in that respect.

SaltyAF · 27/12/2020 21:27

I'm recuperating.