University 2020 :4: The wait for grades and better days ahead

[MillicentMartha]

New thread for us. Interesting times.

Old thread here

I very much doubt coursework written over a long period by definition would be excluded. Hastily assigned new assignments with whole class outstanding marks might well be. I suspect that coursework will go the same way as Scotland: evidential only. But that's fine too.

Lots of state schools still teaching A levels on the other thread about online learning as well so clearly there is a lot of confusion. They need to send out guidelines pretty smartish .

Feeling pretty depressed about the whole situation to be honest , the economy is tanking , no pension, no university for ds who has worked so hard and has so many plans, worried about jobs for the other two , we were meant to move house , not happening Dh apocalyptic about our futures and on top of everything we might die a horrible death and ds1 is in London with a flat mate who insists on spending the whole day out running. All because someone in China decided to eat a pangolin, the whole world is paying a massive price for China’s iniability to control the wild animal markets .

We've just heard that DC's school has decided to keep teaching (U6th) until end of next term. Can't see how, as they were due on study leave ten days after Easter holidays finish. I admire their offer, but think the teachers will actually be snowed under and need time to do massive internal assessments for all GCSE and A level students, and the U6th might prefer to volunteer to help NHS or learn some practical skills instead of being locked to a desk and screen for online learning.

And for those who asked, yes, it's an independent school.

Any news from LSE, @ellanwood.

Sorry about my rant there , this evening things just seem to have got on top of me . As you were . Please ignore

Don’t worry, Peaseblossom we’re all feeling it.

I’m having more concerns over DS2 who has ASD and is really struggling to complete his HND without the support he’s used to than with DS3, who’s quite happy to have abandoned his revision timetable. Thank goodness for t’internet or I’d have strangled one of them by now. If we can keep this thread friendly and informative as it’s been up to now, hopefully we’ll make it through lockdown until results are awarded.

I hope everyone stays well and solvent!

My DS says me and all the mums at his school are like this:

twitter.com/JoshBerryComedy/status/1241362370158645249

Very funny!

@Olympicfan that's funny!

'diagnosed as celeriac' 😆

@Olympicfan - that's hilarious - and sad to say a bit too recognisable. Love 'diagnosed as celeriac'.

Still no news from LSE here...

Hugs @peaseblossom22

All the lessons Dd is currently doing are very chilled... Definitely all geared to keeping their spirits up....

School breaks up today and the HOS has asked all the girls to learn a new skill over Easter (any skill) and in turn some of the Sixth form staff are going to learn to do Tic Toc... Its all geared to maintain positive mental health.

It's completely fine Peaseblossom. There's certainly heaps to worry about; everyone understands.

Thanks goodbye, like you I am on my youngest ( not as many as you though) and I feel heartbroken for him that having worked his socks off he is going to miss out but have decided to concentrate. In things I can control, about to steam clean the bathrooms

I'm a lot more wobbly about most of my DC than I ever care to admit Peaseblossom, either in rl or on here. There's a lot to be said for steam cleaning in times of stress!

Quite along email from dds HT today.. They will provide a complete program for the girls for the whole of next term... All geared to gaining skills in their chosen degree course or career.

Also quite alot of detail about how the school intend to predict the grades although they are still awaiting guidance.

www.gov.uk/government/news/further-update-on-2020-exams

A friend sent me this today. Basically, we’re still working on it, don’t worry.

State school here. DD had an online history lesson yesterday. She still hasn't finished the maths syllabus, so work has been set for them to complete there, but she hadn't heard anything from her English teachers even though they still have topics to complete. She had had a disastrous mechanics mock in January when she was finishing her EPQ, English & history coursework. No formal tests for pure maths or stats. They have not had a history mock as they should have been sat this week. Her English mock comprised a lone paper answered in class. I'm praying that OFSTED recognises the disparity between the mock systems some schools have and throws wait upwards L6 exams, PG and prior attainment. Ho hum. She needs to finish each syllabus just in case she needs to resit.

Meanwhile, a huge cheer to the boiler engineer who has been here for the last 3 hours (trapping DD in a room on the other side of the boiler. Day 12 with no central heating or hot water and I'm beginning to feel like Pease above.

Another one whose weak spot is mechanics here , pure is is really strong , his latest grade was an A overall but I know he is fretting a little . The maths teacher he has is a bit one dimensional.

I wish in the circumstances they would allow them to hold more offers , it all seems such an unknown quantity and the teachers are sort of giving the impression that they will need to be conservative because they can always uplift by sitting the exams frankly I think they have been through enough. In contrast other local school saying they will be generous and basically let the moderators bring it on 😮

The initial response from Dds school appeared to convey that they would adopt a conservative approach but today's email was more positive and they will factor in exam lift.... Which I think is important... One of the History teachers renowned for marking mocks very harshly.
Gave out all Cs in mocks with most girls predicted at least As on their UcAs.. The school's History results are incredibly good year on year both A level and GCSE so I'm sure they can justify the predicted grades.

If the Maths paper sat was the same as Dds school it was extremely hard.
Some girls achieved Es who would normally achieve at least As..

Id try not to worry.. I'm sure everything will be OK...

DD got a D in maths mock last year, but achieved her predicted A grade in the actual A level last year.

No school knows what they can do yet as they have no guidance. So they really should not be telling students what is happening. We will know more next week.