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Original poster

Exams

49 replies

Wakemeuuuup · 04/01/2021 20:19

So what is actually happening with exams! My poor yr11 son is in bits. He hasn't had a chance to sit mocks yet. Boris didn't say they're cancelled!

OP posts:
RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 04/01/2021 20:19

He did 😩

vanillandhoney · 04/01/2021 20:19

He said they can't go ahead.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 04/01/2021 20:20

He said alternative arrangements. Goodness only knows what they will be...

greenlynx · 04/01/2021 20:20

He said that they will be looking for alternatives.

Purplethrow · 04/01/2021 20:20

Maybe they will use course work .

Rollergirl11 · 04/01/2021 20:21

He did say exams won’t go ahead and DofE will be in discussions with Ofqual to decide what will be done.

Oblomov20 · 04/01/2021 20:21

My son didn't sit his GCSE's last year.
Please reassure him it will be ok.

2pinkginsplease · 04/01/2021 20:24

He said they couldn’t go head and alternative arrangements would be made.

My child didn’t sit her exams last year and the same again, this year, there will be a plan in place and hopefully be more straightforward than last years fiasco. Please reassure your child that all Will be ok.

Original poster
Wakemeuuuup · 04/01/2021 20:27

I hope you're all right. He did say they wouldn't go ahead in current format rather than cancelled.

OP posts:
OublietteBravo · 04/01/2021 20:27

DD is supposed to have a BTEC exam on Wednesday (i.e. in less than 48 hours time). Fuck knows what’s happening - Boris seems to assume that everyone only does actual exams in the summer.

lazylinguist · 04/01/2021 20:29

My dd is delighted! No mocks and no GCSEs. It remains to be seen what the 'alternative arrangements' will be though. They can't base it on coursework. Lots of subjects don't have coursework. There is very little comparable data for this cohort because they were the first year to do the new SATs and they've missed loads of school.

caringcarer · 04/01/2021 20:29

I thought he said Btec could go ahead. Or it might have been the commentator immediately after his statement who said it. Contact your school.

NowellSingWe · 04/01/2021 20:31

@caringcarer

I thought he said Btec could go ahead. Or it might have been the commentator immediately after his statement who said it. Contact your school.
Why? We haven't been fucking told anything!
ChrissyHynde · 04/01/2021 20:35

He definitely said "some" exams couldn't take place

ScrapThatThen · 04/01/2021 20:35

Tell your son that teachers assessment is likely to replace exams for most, but his efforts and achievements will still be valued and unlike last year's cohort who had pretty much finished once exams were cancelled, this group need to keep their heads down and work effectively, not least to prepare for their next steps. But his teachers know him best and as long as he does his best with remote learning he can get the grades he would have.

Original poster
Wakemeuuuup · 04/01/2021 20:39

He's much more likely to do best with teacher assessments than in exams. It's the unknown that's upsetting him. He has ASD so anxiety is a big thing for him

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2021 20:41

He didn't say some. He said it would 'not be possible -or fair- for all exams to go ahead' which was a bit cryptic. After spending moths telling parents and children exams are the only fair thing.

Oldowl · 04/01/2021 20:42

"We recognise that this will mean that is not possible, or fair, for all exams to go ahead this summer as normal."

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2021 20:43

My DS (year12) said earlier that year 11s need to know they will have so much less stress and anxiety now there is a bit more certainty.. His perception is he was lucky. And he is hardworking and very focused. he doesn't feel short changed at all.

the uncertainty about exams was/is very very bad for year 11 and 13 mental health.

Oldowl · 04/01/2021 20:44

I reckon only core GCSEs will go ahead and A level exams will be slimmed down - 2 papers not 3.

Fizzydrinks123 · 04/01/2021 20:55

I agree @oldowl - just listened again and it is cryptic.

A-levels students will have had experience of sitting an exam, but GCSE students need that experience of sitting exams may be the thinking to progress to A-level study?

Or, as you say pared-down all round.

Fizzydrinks123 · 04/01/2021 20:57

I think you'd say - not fair for "any" exams to go ahead if that's what is meant? Saying "not possible for ALL" kind of sounds like some exams are going ahead. What a nuisance, to not have that bit clearer.

annevonkleve · 04/01/2021 21:01

The guidance says: In the circumstances, we do not think it is possible for all exams in the summer to go ahead as planned. We will accordingly be working with Ofqual to consult rapidly to put in place alternative arrangements that will allow students to progress fairly.

I think this leaves the door open for core GCSEs in maths and English - and maybe slimmed down A levels.

NorthernLights77 · 04/01/2021 21:08

@Wakemeuuuup I’m with you DS (16) has Aspergers and this last year has been hell! Barely got through his mocks in November his anxiety was off the charts. He doesn’t do well with online learning and really needs the structure of a school day. Pulling my hair out with it all so worried about his future as I’m sure many other parents are.

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