Highers and AH cancelled!

[ScoldsBridle]

My DS is horrified!!

Well, like many other things, it seems to be easier to put in a cover up rather than address the issue, free breakfast and lunch for all for example. Why not address the reasons for children not being fed?

I know, but refusing something on principle?
I didn't know such thing existed at all...

I think the SG's attempt to address imbalances in education was to introduce that 'widening access' or something like that.

Where those from disadvantaged background postcodes could get entry to uni with lower grades. I'm not convinced that's been a success. From my very limited sample of knowing one child who struggled and didn't do that well.

I have posted here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4102717-Help-for-SS-students-ahead-of-exams

Let's see if we can get more information on this scheme.

I got into uni on the SWAP scheme. Some May view that as damning evidence

I think that would be interesting though there is also talk that those from east ren schools also have a higher drop out.

Maybe it's more to do with where they've applied and what for rather than not being capable?

In theory widening access is not a bad idea and probably something I could have benefitted from.

Arcadia I also heard the interview with Prof Lyndsay Paterson on Radio 4 yesterday.

The schemes mentioned were the Educational Endowment Foundation and the National Tutoring Programme.

Paraphrasing here but the gist was that there’s no reason that Scotland couldn’t be part of what is a successful approach, other than the fact that the current Scottish govt won’t engage with something at which England is doing better.

Not surprised by this at all. If it was a Scandinavian model, the SNP would be all over it.

There’s also a piece of research which I’m trying to find that is influencing English decisions on trying to keep some form of exams next year.
The research found that disadvantaged pupils actually do better in exams than in coursework/ continuous assessments.
If I can find it, I’ll post it.

Prettybird usually has good info on the East Ren stats Wax but not sure she'll be following this.

I know how saddening it is when I mentor kids for UCAS who are applying for the wrong courses in the wrong places because of peer and parental and societal pressure.

As a mum of 4 in "deprived area", which was actually a new build estate on the fringe of local authority housing who had left school at 16 I was a widening access dream .

I was in a very deprived area where people like me didn't go to Uni or try hard in school so was more encouraged by all to "get a good job". I can't really blame my family or teachers to be honest. I coasted along did mostly the minimum, got 4 highers and if I hadn't been worrying about money so much, I guess i could have applied. I left after 5th year and was the only member of family to even do 5th year. That was simply because it was early 80s and peak unemployment and i stayed at school for something to do while looking for a job. No-one really ever asked me about Uni or ever indicated that it might be a possibility.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure had I looked into it and had anything been available I could have qualified easily based on my address.

Water under the bridge now, DSs didn't qualify based on address though similarly in a new build next to a deprived area. But they did both say that they were first to go to Uni in the family which might have helped? I think when I looked, different Unis seemed to have different criteria, some on address and some on school?

and yes, it is pb that's usually been able to illuminate :)

This is a particularly tough year for 1st year uni students so they all deserve a pat on the back if they stick it out.

I'm really not enjoying work at the moment and am seriously looking into the financials of "retiring" early and going to study something as a mature student - no idea what and if I could make it affordable.

I think uni places at for Scottish students will become more and more limited anyway.

I had no idea that SG only pays unis around 1500 pa for a Scottish person. It’s nowhere near enough to cover costs. No wonder more places are going to overseas and English students.

And the dumbing down of our nation continues

It's just under 2k fees compared to about 9k per rUK and up to 20k for overseas. Also loans are set at a lower level and inhibit living away from home.

Edinburgh Uni publish their offer rates so, for example someone applying for their version of Computing has a 70% plus chance of an offer as rUK but around 20% id Scottish/EU. Some subjects are even worse.

That's shocking, I have to say.
The dumbing down is really depressing - to flourish as a small independent country, a good education system is vital. See countries incl. Estonia, Finland. Rep of Ireland.
Why are the SNP so blinkered? And who is there who can realistically take their place if independence happens - by which I mean someone who can actually make a decent job of running the country?

For those worried about dumbing down surely if the kids manage to cover all the course material not sitting the exams doesn't effect their actual subject knowledge.?
I realise that this year the unis have had a bulge year with extra students due to estimated grades but that isn't just Scotland.
I'm on my third child doing exams and don't think Nat5s and Highers are dumbed down from my day, some of them seem harder to me, comparing content and exams question style.
It's is harder to get into uni due to limits on places but that tends to stop people going to their top one or two choices it doesn't stop them going into higher education, they don't exactly insist on straight As for Scottish kids and then let in people with Bs at A-level, the standards for the rUK students are still high.
There's a lot going on developing links between schools colleges and unis that should really help the less academic or the late developer. I don't think it's all doom or gloom (apart from the temporary effects of Covid).

Sorry, that was a bit long-winded

I thought there was a lot of sense in it .

Hope that's not too brief

Thanks Lidlfix, I was already a bit riled up by the Edinburgh vs Guilford thread on AIBU and it all spewed out!

S5 pupils at DC's school are apparently celebrating, anticipating a much reduced workload.
I anticipate much higher grades all round than in a normal exam year. Neither universities nor employers are likely to take these results seriously.
It's particularly bad news for more academic pupils.
And in my view working towards and taking important exams is part of a good education. I'm really unhappy that the school have aggravated the situation by immediately cancelling Prelims.

That's total contrast to where I teach and DD's school Annnd (sorry my rubbish eyes can't count the nnns) my pupils were despondent at the prospect of being assessed to death. One of my fave cheeky chappy lads is bereft that his 'never passed a test never failed an exam " strategy won't be any use. DD has felt she's been under the assessment cosh since day 1 as teachers prepared for this eventuality.

Shows how much perceptions vary. Personally I was shocked when the parent survey was so in favour of cancellation. I am tier 4 so where I work and DDs school have seen plenty of isolation impact but they were still gutted.

I really don’t think we’ll see inflated grades. Judging by the process outlined for N5, we’ll all be moderated to death for fear of that happening.

Lidlfix- a similar reaction at my school too. We are also tier 4 and have had a couple of bouts of Seniors isolating, but they have so many notes and resources on Teams and are better prepared for our "prelim" than any previous year group.
Staff and pupils have pulled out all the stops and there's been no limit on printing off materials etc. The ones who are struggling seem to be finding that they have too many revision materials and too many quotations to choose from!
I feel this decision is on the back of that surprising parental survey and that there will be a long-term impact for these pupils that many people aren't quite seeing.
However, that's the decision and the only choice is to get on with it or resign.

Yes, no reduced workload here, far more regular testing, a more serious atmosphere than usual, plus constant pressure from me! I got DS a Biology tutor at the beginning of term rather than waiting to see how he got on and for the first time ever his target grades and working grades are matching in all his subjects (except for Maths, that a disaster) he's being forced out of his last minute Larry tendencies and it's benefitting him.

I suspect that it all fits nicely with the long term plan of abolishing exams altogether (to "close the attainment gap")
I still can't see WHY they have been stopped again, and why now.
It will be interesting to see the backlash here if they do go ahead in England.

Something to do with the elections next year?