URGENT PLEASE HELP: Anyone know about A Level exams/marking/parent passing

[EllenLRipley]

My sister has been unwell for years and has now reached the very end.
DNiece, 18, has A Levels and is not fit to take them. She is predicted AAA
Her mother will die in the next 2 weeks. The school have said nothing can be done to cancel the exams or give assessed grades, she will score 0. I cannot get thru to the exam boards and cannot get any sense from anyone.

Please help me, her dad is in no fit state to be doing anything.

I cannot believe the cruelty of this system

I agree that the system for special consideration doesn't really compensate pupils enough in these circumstances. I suspect the school is "holding out" in case your DN is able to take some of her exams.
The comment about "mark of zero" isn't helpful. There is a procedure to follow if pupils are unable to take exams.
The page for AQA exams is in the link. https://www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/special-requirements/special-consideration
This states that 15% of the exams must be taken to award a grade. It is possible that the English Lit NEA would fulfil this.
Really sorry to hear that you are all having to go through this.

The schools and exam boards aren't being deliberately unsympathetic, it is just there has to be a valid method in place for assessing candidates who are entered for a qualification. I am truly sorry for what your family is going through. I think your niece would be best sorting her studies when she has the headspace to do so. I would hope the school guide her sensitively at this stage to the best option for her, and then allow your niece and sister to spend their remaining time together, uninterrupted.

I am sorry op what a terrible situation. Resits would be best - I would withdraw her for now and help and support the resits. It happens for a variety of reasons, she is unlikely to be the only one.

I would also say she needs to take time - next year would be better. I doubt she would be ready to go to university in the autumn anyway op, she is going to need a lot of support.

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Guide_to_spec_con_process_May23_FINAL.pdf

As usual, AQA have not updated their website, so this is the current guidance.

I think that it would be kinder for her to repeat the year - there's no difficulty in the school obtaining funding for a repeat year, it's obvious that she is able to do well.

The EO could also apply for special consideration next year to take into account that she would be taking her exams during the anniversary period - and her father will be more emotionally equipped to provide the appropriate evidence for the application than he is right now or would be in the week following her last exam, which is the deadline for SC submission).

She could also benefit from the support of being around staff who know her well and can guide her through both grieving and potentially making university applications next year.

She needs to not have to think about the exams at all right now and be where she has to be - with her Mum and Dad. Repeating may be hard, but the alternative would, I think, be far harder for her.

I have been involved with a campaign to get the amendments made to the JCQ special considerations policy for seriously sick children.

I know it's not the same circumstances but it is done on a case by case scenario, the school need to contact all the exams boards and quote the new guidance released earlier this month. The school should have a portfolio of evidence to back up the predicted grades. It's worth a shot! Situations like this are why we fought so hard for the changes!

schoolsweek.co.uk/critically-ill-teens-unable-to-sit-exams-can-now-get-grades/?fbclid=IwAR1Q9PpJ3_i7VSvQGwOUmmTRLMHMYqw5sGq0juurruqBR7MKeBnaAoICki4