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Original poster

'Mini-exams' voluntary in 2021 plus a quick chat??

20 replies

Bewareoftheblob · 14/02/2021 14:27

What fresh hell is this? From the Sunday Times today.

To reduce appeals? I really don't want to be the person telling students their grades.

'Mini-exams' voluntary in 2021 plus a quick chat??
OP posts:
Original poster
Bewareoftheblob · 14/02/2021 14:29

How would this even work?

Teacher: We're going to give you a grade four in maths
Student: But I need a grade five
Teacher: Sit this voluntary exam and we'll see if I'm convinced when I mark it

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 14/02/2021 14:35

Oh god.

Nellodee · 14/02/2021 14:38

If we say "You are going to get a lvl 4" does that student still have to attend?

I DO NOT want to teach year 11s who know they have got a grade in the bag. I cannot think of anything worse than basically baby sitting a bunch of demotivated 16 year olds with no reason to be there.

Original poster
Bewareoftheblob · 14/02/2021 14:38

If they do this it is just fucking cruel.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bewareoftheblob · 14/02/2021 14:39

@Nellodee You're right, it would be pointless. If they decided to accept the offered grades, that would be it done.

OP posts:
SirSamuelVimes · 14/02/2021 14:40

Well that's a bloody stupid idea.

Nellodee · 14/02/2021 14:41

But they would have to do this pretty early, so that students who did choose to sit the optional exam would have time to revise. So we would end up with some students having left school and some still in? I suppose it would reduce class sizes...

But god, if they make them all attend whatever their decision, I will be a gibbering mess by the time they leave.

Original poster
Bewareoftheblob · 14/02/2021 14:43

We'd have to do it before Easter to have time for them to revise and sit the exam in May.

The stress! For everyone involved, it's a horrible idea.

OP posts:
Nellodee · 14/02/2021 14:45

What the hell does "the grade they are aspiring to" mean, in the absence of formal assessment?

ScrapThatThen · 14/02/2021 14:50

I do feel for schools. But the kids need something to work towards. Surely it should be 'you are on track for a 4 but I need to see work that lives up to that level on all the topics we cover up until May, otherwise I can't evidence a 4 for you'.

Original poster
Bewareoftheblob · 14/02/2021 14:50

I can only imagine that it would be the grade they want/need to access their next level of study.

OP posts:
scrappydappydoo · 14/02/2021 14:53

Oh can you imagine helicopter parents muscling into these meetings insisting that ‘Jacinta’ be given a 9 Hmm

Nellodee · 14/02/2021 14:57

What about the classes where we are saying "If you work really hard, we will give you a lvl 3"?

What do we think it's going to be like teaching those classes until they break up?

SirSamuelVimes · 14/02/2021 15:09

I'm currently tutoring a boy who got level ones in his December mocks. He is capable of a four or five I think, there's a lot of background as to why he fucked up his mocks, partly his fault partly the school. How will that conversation go? He needs the chance to prove himself, poor lad.

MrsHamlet · 14/02/2021 16:52

@ScrapThatThen

I do feel for schools. But the kids need something to work towards. Surely it should be 'you are on track for a 4 but I need to see work that lives up to that level on all the topics we cover up until May, otherwise I can't evidence a 4 for you'.
That's what's already happening. I am getting a weekly email from a parent reminding me that his son is capable of a grade 9. Which is true but I have no evidence of it. Saying it doesn't make it so.
2020again · 14/02/2021 16:58

If they do this how are all the many students who improve enourmously from say November to the usual exams season (every year) going to be able to prove themselves? All those students who have been working so hard to prove themselves may not get the chance again? What a joke.

What exactly are teachers expected to predict grades on - many children have had no proper teaching all academic year (isolation episodes and then lock down) and even the lucky ones have not been in school since December? So children who did well in Year 10 are ok but those who did n't aren't?

I did n't think it was possible for government to muck this up so badly AGAIN.

2020again · 14/02/2021 17:00

MrsHamlet exactly - what is that child going to end up with if he is not given the chance to prove it to you - even one test (which he may not now get the chance to sit) may not show it!

MrsHamlet · 14/02/2021 17:04

I can confidently give him a 6 right now in one of my subjects. The other, somewhat less than that.
I did n't think it was possible for government to muck this up so badly AGAIN
I'm sure they will find a way to make it worse yet.

ineedaholidaynow · 14/02/2021 17:08

How do they demonstrate what grade they should be aspiring to?

Wakemeuuuup · 14/02/2021 17:35

I don't know what would be best any more. Can't wait for a decision to be made so yr11 do knows what he's dealing with

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