No A level exams - how will this work?

[Gutterton]

Anyone know how they will do it?

My DD only just completed mocks (after Feb half term) - had the results this week which she was waiting on to make decisions on firm and conditional....so has yet to do this.

If they go this way could they technically know where they are headed by Easter?

Also would there be any point doing online school after Easter if course content completed and no exams?

Think International Students coming to the UK are less likely due to CV - as one of mine who was headed for China in August has had his course cancelled.

There are a lot of students at the schools my DC attend who have only applied to US unis - Harvard, Yale etc. God knows what will happen there?
At least the main “curve” of the virus should be over in the UK by September, so shouldn’t impact eg Chinese students flying in. If it hits later in the US, international students may not be able to fly over.

The obvious effect will be students and their parents wanting to be closer to home so pressure to stay in your own country or continent will have an effect. Parents of gap year and year abroad students that I know have been frantic as students have wanted to hang on abroad for as long as possible. Now big scrabble to get home at all.

We are expecting a further peak again in Nov - unless we keep on social distancing suppression measures until we have a vaccine - 12-18 months before that is rolled out in the population.

A vaccine is clearly the end goal but a treatment would make it manageable and a number are already being trialed on patients across the world. It could lift sooner.

As a teacher we do not know. But we have been told to carry on teaching remotely and when we are asked for our professional judgement we can provide up to date data to support it. So I am assuming we will follow Wales and use professional judgement.? Lots of overseas students won't come next year, freeing up places. But it's still all a bit unknown. I'm exhausted after last few weeks of teaching normally, covering for colleagues and planning lessons to teach by Teams.

Using predicted grades seems an obvious solution. But many, many schools get these wrong.
I think if they decide to use these then schools should submit the predicted versus actual grades achieved for the last couple of years, and then the predicted grades for this year should be adjusted up or down based on the variance.

I have heard “teacher assessment” used again by Angela Rayner - shadow education minister. Seems fair enough as it will be an up to date review of where pupil is now - I expect it will be the same as course work that they mark - maybe a rigorous evidence based assessment moderated by external professionals. They would have to be fair and realistic and be able to produce marked homework and exam results which show they were on track for that grade.

DS has applied to art schools and had to submit e portfolios as a matter of course.based on this they decided who they wanted to see with actual folios. At the start of the outbreak those they asked him to take his stuff but then contacted to say they would he doing video or phone interviews instead. I assume someone might now call in art circumstances to decide a they will ge able to see the email links.
For uni I would imagine they will ho on a combination of mock results, predicted grades and a bit of a bonus chucked in. I think thus year it might have to go on more who they like the sound of, who is a definite no go who teachers advise is unsuitable, and speaking to the candidates. Some will never he doctors, dentists or scientists others csnt make it in a vocational profession. Teacher will know if a pupil is of the relevant academic standard a discipline and personal mentality. The university will dpeak yo them to see if they are their type I'd imagine. Presumably term will start at Christmas or something strange.

Teacher will know if a pupil is of the relevant academic standard a discipline and personal mentality.

Christ I doubt that random subject teachers aren’t making these subjective decisions about suitably for a profession! Surely that’s the training institution - the A level teacher just needs to give a rigorous evidence based assessment of what grade that pupil was likely to get in that subject.

*are

Just www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced

Shit - my child did badly in mocks. Schools all set their own exams - didn’t they?

“This year’s summer exam series, including A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications, and all primary assessments, have been cancelled as we fight to stop the spread of coronavirus.”

Does this mean the course work is also cancelled? DD doing 2 large projects 30% of each A level - due in end April?

Yes coursework also cancelled. But teachers will be able to use coursework to determine the grade. And obviously an appeal is easier if you've actually got the physical evidence to hand of your ability.

This is an absolute nightmare for unis by the way. We're considering whether applicant GCSE grades are a reasonable indicator of ability. And I've spent the last 20 years on MN telling people that unis really don't care about GCSEs...

Watch out for lots more conditionals turning into unconditionals over the next week or so. There's a real fear amongst those that recruit a lot through clearing that there just won't be any clearing students to recruit from...

My DD hasn’t chosen her firm and reserve yet as only recently done mocks. It would be v useful for her school to give her a nod and a wink as to what they have submitted so that she could decide to firm her aspirational choice or not.....!

Gosh so what happens to my daughter who is resitting on A level but just self studying?

That’s a tough one GaribaliGirl - maybe email the exam board? Has she already enrolled? Maybe the September appeal/exam process may be an opportunity?

@Gutterton I think it will be a detailed process of different factors. In less her grades are very clear cut I doubt they will know what she will end up with as a grade.

@GaribaldiGirl my DS is in a similar situation, self teaching a new A level after doing 3 A levels last year. He’s been told it’s most likely they will place a lot of weight on his A level results from last year. I appreciate that might not be ideal for you but maybe they’ll look at how students usually do when retaking.

Not to mention those who are home-schooled.

Luckily all her uni offers are at the grades she already has, but would be a shame to lose chance to improve her grade when she’s already done the studying. I’m sure there’ll be a solution as she can’t be the only one.