Parents of current Year 12s - are you worried your child’s uni chances might be affected by current school closures and this is something nobody is addressing yet?

[clarification]

Hi, I was talking to a friend earlier who has a son in a large sixth form college. She was telling me there is a petition going around that Year 12s are demanding universities to show tolerance and maybe lower entry grades for the 2021 cohort due to the fact that -

• this year group are missing an important term in the run up to A-levels

• standards of online-teaching seem to vary massively between schools

• some pupils will obviously not have a home environment conducive to learning.

I have a DS in Year 12 and the online provision from his school will probably be very good to be honest, but even so, a term is a long time to keep motivated without peers to bounce off and the more disciplined, stimulating environment that school affords. I’m also aware that some schools are so busy teaching key workers children that they won’t have the extra time or resources for real-time online teaching, so work set is likely to be projects, etc which won’t suit the less motivated. My friend was saying her DS’ college haven’t even confirmed if or how they’ll be delivering the curriculum. How can this be right?

This got me thinking - a term is a long time. In effect, A-levels are taught over 5 terms, so these students are missing 20% of their “normal” education. In light of this, I’m wondering if there might be a justified call for unis to make more flexible offers for the Sept 2021 cohort. Interested to hear any views on here!

Oxford have definitely not sent anything along those lines. The majority of Oxbridge offer holders will be at the top of their cohort and will have been working over the last 18 months to do whatever they can to get the necessary grades to meet their offers. I expect their position is more secure than most in their year groups. I'm not sure where you got your 30% figure from or is this pure speculation?

I think 30% was mentioned the other thread as the percentage Cambridge over-offer by.

It would certainly seem to hold out for the course my DS would apply for.

I did say I didn’t know about Oxford, but apologies about the initial phrasing.

Oxford have definitely not sent anything along those lines ...to my DD.

& it's impossible to issue a statement about next year when they don't even know what the implications are for their current students, let alone year 13s. Each university is running a reduced staffing model with the majority of staff working from home if working at all in a dynamic environment. Universities are no different to any other business in that nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, let alone next month or the next academic year.

@mumsneedwine, I know, My DD was one of the recipients! I also ( and apologies if the tone of my post suggests otherwise, it really isnt intentional) have great sympathy for y 12 students. I know second hand as a parent how difficult it is to watch your child put themselves through the process that is by definition likely to end in failure.Its worth noting that although C offer to hold a place if you are successful, they dont guarantee it will be the same college, so thats also worth bearing in mind @clarification. Really believe DC should pick the course they love first and foremost and not worry too much about the admission process.

@hobbema I'm a mother of a year 13. And I teach year 12. I fully understand how shit all this is for everyone.

These stats are just on the Cambridge website.

You can see in the top line, for the Anglo Saxon and Norse degree, they make 26 offers for 17 acceptances, So yes, one or two might have decided to go elsewhere, but you can pretty much assume 9 students didn’t quite make the grade in their A-levels. If It were this year and these 9 students don’t make the grade but have the chance to sit an exam for a deferred place in 2021, there’s a good chance most of them will achieve this. They won’t have missed by much - maybe just the A* in History A-level or whatever? Particularly as it’s much easier when you only have to focus on one subject, not exams in 3 / 4 subjects. So that could potentially mean only 17 places for that course in 2021. There are just under 30 undergrad colleges, so, quite possibly, this course won’t be available in some colleges where it otherwise would have been.

You can't assume that most of the (offers - acceptances) correspond to missed grades: international students often hold offers from other top universities such as US Ivy Leagues and choose these instead.

The main subject for which Cambridge substantially over offers is Maths, due to the selection via STEP performance. However, those who miss STEP grades usually take up offers at Warwick, Imperial etc. STEP 2 and 3 are still running & Cambridge will still select on these.

Sure, but some subjects are obviously a little more niche than others and I’m. It sure you’d go to the US Ivy League to study Anglo-Saxon

Though I do take the point that international students particularly, may sell have offers elsewhere, of course.

Still, for a Year 12 student about to potentially put themselves through this process, it would feel as if the odds are even more stacked against you - as if it’s not competitive enough as it is.

And I’m sure other unis will do the same.

Are many schools doing online teaching for year 12? DS1's school has given out work but it seems to be more revision-based, for example pages of questions for Maths, with no new material.

Stunt - DD isn’t doing maths, but it’s the full curriculum every day, including PSHE and even a weekly assembly . Even in the games session, they have to do something. He has online exams coming up so has been revising all Easter. Some of the teaching is face-to-face, other times there’s a set task which has to be submitted by the end of the lesson. Homework as normal.

You are also assuming that the missed grade candidates will decide to re sit. And if they decide to re sit will then go on to get the desired grade(s) despite not having been at school for months and months and months.

...my DD has said she will 100% not be re sitting (Cambridge)

There will also be a 'balance' due to the summer pool. If a large number don't make the grade rather than pushing everyone into a resit they could accept some via the summer pool rather than saving a problem up for next year.

DD has also had an email from the department assuring her that the department had not offered and if everyone makes their grades they can and will accommodate everyone. Obv not
Maths 😁

DD is taking the same approach as bpisok's DD. She made Oxford her firm and York her insurance on the say the school shutdown was announced. She has no intention of sitting exams in the autumn as she wants to start the next stage of her life at that point, not rehash subjects which she won't even be studying at uni.

How come you only teach Y12 mumsneedwine? Or do you mean that you don't teach Y13 at the moment, because of the Covid19 situation?

Yes I do see that, Hoghgyni and bpi. DS considered a gap year and to be honest, there is loads he could do, but on the end he said it would be socially isolating when all your friends are off and away and I guess a year seems like a long time when you’re 18! Another year at home when you’ve been psyched for the change and independence.

Same bpisok. Oxford giving no hint at all that they can't accommodate all offer holders if they make their grades.

Although there are though having a really tough time atm, I can't see that those in schools - assuming no illness affecting their families or close friends - are having too 'shit' a time at all. I'm saving my sympathy for those on the medical front line and those whose relations have died; it's really pretty ok otherwise for teachers and schoolkids - just a weird time, rather that massively 'shit'. Everything is relative.

those not though!

Also than not that!

(trying to cook a very odd new recipe while typing; doing badly at both)

@goodbyestranger I teach all years from 7 to 13. Was just pointing out I know it feels as a mum and as a teacher. Looking forward to seeing my students tomorrow after their 2 week break.

I don’t think anyone is for one minute comparing themselves to NHS staff, but this is the education board and it’s a current issue.

Honestly, as the mother of a year 12 student, I think we shouldn’t worry about this. There is so much uncertainty around and so much that’s terrible. We need to relax and reduce expectations. If I get to next year with my family alive I will view that as a win. And if my DC gets to uni of any sort that’s a real win. I cannot worry about specifics of which uni in the middle of the worst global crisis for 75 years.

WorkingItOutAsIGo

Couldn’t agree more.

I agree Working. But even in the midst of a pandemic, people will still worry about their jobs or exams or futures - even as a diversion. I mean people are posting on here all the time about all sorts of things. Conversations still happen - and do they should. I’ve learned a lot about helping DS through the uni process, just from MN. More than the school actually.

clarification I'm not saying that people are comparing their situation to front line medical staff in terms but saying the situation is shit for those in education is to woefully minimize the situation that proper front line people are facing.

WorkingItOutAsIGo - absolutely.

I also don't really get any angst about ranking the kids at schools. They're never going to find out their ranking so what's the problem? - it makes sense from Ofqual's pov where they detect a need to adjust up or down. But it's not a massive deal, just a task to get on with. Very minor in the grand scheme of things.