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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Coursework moderated from an A* to a C

178 replies

Fossie · 15/08/2019 16:16

DD lost out on uni place as her Product design coursework (50% of her grade) has dropped from a borderline A* (according to her school) to a C which changes her overall grade from an A to a C. How is this possible? The school and her teacher are ‘puzzled’. This has happened to all in her class so all are affected. Neither firm nor conditional will take her now. Any ideas how to challenge this?

OP posts:
DoctorDoctor · 19/08/2019 00:25

I would contact any uni depts directly if they are in clearing and explain the situation.

This. Get your DC to ring and be prepared to talk to an admissions tutor about how they are still a good candidate to study their subject. It's a student's market this year and there will very likely be good places in clearing. Also, be prepared to re think your idea of a 'half decent university' - tier

DoctorDoctor · 19/08/2019 00:27

Hit post too soon - there are many places beyond the Russell Group that are great for particular subjects, or just good for your DC for various reasons.

verystressedmum · 19/08/2019 01:56

Yes this happened to us too! Dd missed her grade by 1 because coursework was moderated down by 18 marks it was a total shock.
I spoke to the school and I don't blame the teacher I do think she did all the ' right' things I just don't know what happened.

Review of moderation takes a much longer time and there's no guarantee that the grade will go up. Luckily she was offered her firm at an RG and her insurance so we're in a different situation to you but I was still beyond upset as was dd.

I hoe you have got something sorted for your dd

BoneyBackJefferson · 19/08/2019 10:02

oneteen
Personally, I would like to see second opinions on all coursework grades that have been adjusted by an external moderator so that the DC drops 2 grades

This would be good (they do it for exam questions) but the issue is getting enough moderators to do it.

Original poster
Fossie · 19/08/2019 13:58

Just to update. We’ve been back into school this morning and the senior exam officer was there and very much on the case. She has confirmed with Edexcel that if they challenge the coursework moderation and it is looked at again, and if any change is made down the A level grade won’t be affected. If it goes up though the grade can go up. This means she doesn’t need to contact the pupils in the class before sending this off today as no one can do worse now. It is too late for this year for my daughter but at least there is a small chance the grade will go up.

OP posts:
YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 19/08/2019 21:20

Moderators are moderated. Not every centre is looked at twice, but there are regular checks.

There should also be a detailed report sent to the centre which explains exactly why the marks were adjusted - this goes directly to the exams officer on results day via the secure exam site.

Honeyroar · 19/08/2019 21:47

Well that's good that they're looking into it. Fingers crossed.

BoneyBackJefferson · 19/08/2019 22:29

There should also be a detailed report sent to the centre which explains exactly why the marks were adjusted - this goes directly to the exams officer on results day via the secure exam site.

I wouldn't say that it was particularly detailed.

whotheeff · 19/08/2019 23:30

Such a shame. I feel for your daughter. You might want to ask for a refund for your school fees! It happened to all our music A'level students when I was at a few oaying grammar school. Made me realize what a waste of time and money private schools are. There are shit teachers in every school.

whotheeff · 19/08/2019 23:31

*Fee paying

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 20/08/2019 09:29

I wouldn't say that it was particularly detailed.

It should be detailed enough for the centre to be able to adjust their marking accordingly. Maybe it depends on the board, but if I am changing marks I am very specific about why.

BoneyBackJefferson · 20/08/2019 09:42

YoureAllABunchOfBastards

Some of the feedback we have had contradicts previous years, some have said that "areas that have been fully covered but should include X,Y, and Z".

Its very amusing.

endofthelinefinally · 20/08/2019 10:21

It isn't always the teacher's fault.
A whole A level class at a colleague's school was marked down 3 grades for a FL oral exam. The marks were too good apparently therefore the external examiner decided they had all cheated. All on tape, not rehearsed, no cheating at all.
They all lost their chosen university places.
No redress at all.
My own dc got full marks for every part of A2 FL exam except the essay. It was a philosophy based essay, and dc decided to make an opposing argument. It was perfectly constructed, no language mistakes. The teacher read it when the paper was returned. The examiner gave zero marks for that part of the paper. DC got an A, but should have got A*.
That year the exam boards were practically dragging random people off the street to mark gcses and A levels.
I had a long discussion with examiners on here at the time and the situation seemed to be poor or no training and a shortage of markers.
It is ridiculous and very unfair on kids who have worked hard.

endofthelinefinally · 20/08/2019 10:23

Sorry, that should have been 2 grades. A to C.

BoneyBackJefferson · 20/08/2019 10:40

endofthelinefinally
It isn't always the teacher's fault.

The teachers are the easiest to blame, I have already been told that I will be complained about this year by several parents, yet these are the parents that have knew for months that their children were not working in lessons.

Luckily I have all the paperwork to prove what I have done to try and get them on task and on target.

Original poster
Fossie · 20/08/2019 11:05

whotheeff the school is state not a fee paying.

OP posts:
Rivkka · 20/08/2019 11:39

How are the guaranteeing the grade won't go down because that is opposite of anything I've ever been told by my school.

runoutofnamechanges · 20/08/2019 15:54

@Rivkka - it's because the school is querying the moderation of the entire cohort rather than an individual student requesting a remark. It wouldn't be fair to take marks away from someone who hasn't consented to have their work remarked.

Original poster
Fossie · 20/08/2019 17:37

It’s because it is coursework and not a written paper.

OP posts:
TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 20/08/2019 17:45

Moderation is bloody shite.

I’ve taught a coursework based subject for 23 years. Last year we had the best work from candidates ever, and for the first time in my teaching experience, the moderator dropped the grades. I don’t know how much better those coursework projects could be.

It is not due to bad teaching. Some of it is due to not having enough time to mark properly, but some of it is just done for no reason l swear.

One of my A grade students had her coursework moderated down to a B. She got A* on her exam, and has just done AS this year and got an A. Where’s the odd one out here?! The moderated coursework!!

Makes me so angry

Benjispruce · 20/08/2019 21:37

Emoji that must damage your confidence for next year?

BoneyBackJefferson · 21/08/2019 14:46

Fossie

We did this with coursework a few years ago with OCR and they refused to re-moderate unless everyone gave consent and the parent was prepared to pay for the re-moderation.

They wouldn't just remark one piece of work it had to be everyone's.

Original poster
Fossie · 21/08/2019 18:10

BoneyBackJefferson all the students have gone down 2 grades. The Head has confirmed the school are appealing the result for the whole class.

OP posts:
elephantfan · 21/08/2019 19:08

Appeals make no difference to the kids who lose their university place.
My friend's child ended up at a different university, has a good degree, but is still very bitter and disappointed that child was denied the place they really deserved.

BoneyBackJefferson · 21/08/2019 20:08

Fossie

I believe you, I was struggling with how the exam board can promise not to down grade anyone.

But having thought about it if they are saying that the work was moderated too harshly then they can either reinstate the marks or regrade upwards.

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