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Original poster

Guilt Free Railing 10

993 replies

WouldBeGood · 01/08/2021 23:04

Is the end nigh?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
GoldenOmber · 14/08/2021 09:56

Even though I don’t think the restrictions will be in place forever, it’s hard to summon much optimism. Not when a) the government don’t seem to give any indication of when or under what circumstances the remaining ones might go, and b) in the past things got delayed and delayed and delayed even when they did give that.

Central belt ‘circuit breaker’ for 16 days ended up being from October to May. Schools and nurseries closed for 2 weeks over January turned into 4 weeks, then 6 weeks, then… And we could argue forever about how much the government believed in these dates when it gave them, not everything is within their knowledge or control, but the effect is still that people find it hard to have faith in anything changing.

If something as important as education, where we got given a timeframe and reassured closure wouldn’t last any longer than it absolutely needed to, still gets pushed back and back and back, then something like masks with no timeframe and no indication that the government want to lift it ever feels like it could be here for years.

Scottishskifun · 14/08/2021 10:01

@mibbelucieachwell

' Wind management plan' Ah dear, being cooped up with DH so much his boyish sense of humour must have rubbed off on me cos that's making me chuckle. Is this for cabbage and lentil eating competition events? An environmental concern ahead of COP in Glasgow?
😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
ResilienceWanker · 14/08/2021 10:03

@mibbelucieachwell

' Wind management plan' Ah dear, being cooped up with DH so much his boyish sense of humour must have rubbed off on me cos that's making me chuckle. Is this for cabbage and lentil eating competition events? An environmental concern ahead of COP in Glasgow?
GrinGrin That kind of wind is definitely not something you need without the ability to socially distance. So it's good thinking to be fair...
Original poster
WouldBeGood · 14/08/2021 10:11

Could someone please explain the exams thing to me? Are there no exams, but still the same qualifications but teacher assessed! Are there to be new qualifications/exams? Does the SQA still exist?

OP posts:
Mistressiggi · 14/08/2021 10:18

I'll try Grin so far the answers are: we don't know, we don't know, yes.
I'll be teaching exam classes with a view to there being exams OR internal assessments, which is far from ideal, stressful and time consuming.
I do know a small amount of content has been removed and the project-type assessment is gone.

Original poster
WouldBeGood · 14/08/2021 10:19

@Mistressiggi thank you 😂

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ElephantOfRisk · 14/08/2021 10:20

Who knows @WouldBeGood, schools are either back or going back next week and teachers haven't been told whether there will be exams next year or what the curriculum is that they've to teach - as far as i understand. Just for clarity, i'm talking about schools in Scotland that are high schools that normally (pre covid) had exams. I'm sure that everyone with normal comprehension skills understands that, but hey, can't be too careful...

Mistressiggi · 14/08/2021 10:20

You're welcome. Oh and I'll accept the usual SQA fee in used tenners this time Wink

ElephantOfRisk · 14/08/2021 10:21

Oh, not just high schools as some will be academies etc. So for clarity I mean secondary education establishments that normally offer SQA exams.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 10:22

We still don't know the plan for the coming year. Hopeful for a final exam. Rumours abound that there will be a Higher exam but Nat 5 will be internally assessed. This seems ridiculous but thankfully only a rumour at this point.

Teachers will start off the year planning for both. I would expect to see an emphasis on gathering quality evidence throughout the year 'just in case'.

The SQA still exist and are still in charge but will be replaced. No timeframe for that as far as I'm aware. I predict the new body will move towards continuous assessment rather than a final summative exam.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 10:25

@ElephantOfRisk

Who knows *@WouldBeGood*, schools are either back or going back next week and teachers haven't been told whether there will be exams next year or what the curriculum is that they've to teach - as far as i understand. Just for clarity, i'm talking about schools in Scotland that are high schools that normally (pre covid) had exams. I'm sure that everyone with normal comprehension skills understands that, but hey, can't be too careful...
The curriculum is the same (certainly for my subject) with some elements removed to free up time for pupils and teachers. The English folio is reduced to one piece, for example, and AVU has been removed from Nat 4.
Original poster
WouldBeGood · 14/08/2021 10:26

Thanks all. How stressful for schools!

I’m glad DS is starting s2. I can tell him that there’s no idea about how he should go about getting qualifications 😂

OP posts:
Mistressiggi · 14/08/2021 10:27

Forfucksake do you remember a few years back when there was a campaign to remove the internal unit assessments that the students had to pass in order to be allowed to sit the exam? They didn't align well with the exam and were a lot of extra work and pressure on teachers and students. Well now we're back to teaching to two assessment forms again Sad
I think the SG are waiting to see if Covid becomes more of a problem as the year goes on before deciding whether or not to cancel exams. So I don't expect a solid decision soon Angry But they could just come out and say that.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 10:32

@Mistressiggi

Forfucksake do you remember a few years back when there was a campaign to remove the internal unit assessments that the students had to pass in order to be allowed to sit the exam? They didn't align well with the exam and were a lot of extra work and pressure on teachers and students. Well now we're back to teaching to two assessment forms again Sad I think the SG are waiting to see if Covid becomes more of a problem as the year goes on before deciding whether or not to cancel exams. So I don't expect a solid decision soon Angry But they could just come out and say that.
Yep! Total madness. Those internal assessments were ridiculous. I'd love to know who thought that up! 🤷🏻‍♀️

The only slight positive is that our internal assessments do align better with the exams now and we have made every effort to emphasise the formative nature to the kids and exploit them as target setting opportunities. We just used the old prelims. Tried to give them about once a month (although obvs not during lockdown).

I just feel so bad for kids. It think this shake up is going to be huge and whatever replaces the SQA will be very, very different. I know we've been through change before but I can't help but feel this will be drastic.

Lockdownbear · 14/08/2021 10:36

Just me that thinks if the SQA don't get their act together the private schools will decide to ditch Highers and go for A levels?

Does any other country have multiple exam systems?

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 10:41

@Lockdownbear

Just me that thinks if the SQA don't get their act together the private schools will decide to ditch Highers and go for A levels?

Does any other country have multiple exam systems?

I think many private schools already do opt for A Levels and have done for many years. Certainly my wee cousin sat A levels in private school in Edinburgh area least five years ago now.

Lots of countries have different schools offering differing qualifications. Particularly the private and international schools.

The SQA are finished. We need to hope that they keep what shit they still have together until they are replaced and we need to hope and pray whatever replaces them is good/ better/ fit for purpose.

I have enjoyed teaching Nat 5 and I've done work for the SQA which I really loved. Older wiser colleagues have always been pretty vocal though that it wasn't working. They were on a very shaky peg with the SG for the last few years as well.

PoloMintPatty · 14/08/2021 10:57

This is really useful so thank you. I have been removed (thankfully) from the exam / assessment shitshow until now but this year I have an S4 so I'm trying to focus.

But it's very difficult to work out what is going on. Seems that's because it's not been clarified?

Echo what you're all saying. Poor kids. This is beyond awful and who knows the longer term impacts of this all.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 11:05

@PoloMintPatty good luck to your DC!

I would be hoping for clearer guidance in the next few days but they've been saying that for ages so 🤷🏻‍♀️

There will also be the caveat that it all could change at any moment. We're building a worst case scenario into our planning.

The only advice I would give (and I know you didn't ask lol) is that your DC should study a reasonable amount from the outset. I was a last minute crammer type person and I think most of us are. The exact opposite is required now. Nothing overwhelming because mental health is so important but a little bit every night or week so that they are keeping on top of it.

Your school should communicate clearly with you about the processes but it's a safe assumption that whether they announce a final exam or not then teachers will be gathering some form of evidence throughout the year as a potential back up. Might as well ensure that that evidence is as strong as it can be.

PoloMintPatty · 14/08/2021 11:12

[quote forfucksakenett]@PoloMintPatty good luck to your DC!

I would be hoping for clearer guidance in the next few days but they've been saying that for ages so 🤷🏻‍♀️

There will also be the caveat that it all could change at any moment. We're building a worst case scenario into our planning.

The only advice I would give (and I know you didn't ask lol) is that your DC should study a reasonable amount from the outset. I was a last minute crammer type person and I think most of us are. The exact opposite is required now. Nothing overwhelming because mental health is so important but a little bit every night or week so that they are keeping on top of it.

Your school should communicate clearly with you about the processes but it's a safe assumption that whether they announce a final exam or not then teachers will be gathering some form of evidence throughout the year as a potential back up. Might as well ensure that that evidence is as strong as it can be.
[/quote]
Thanks again for this. Actually you've hit on my main concern. That's exactly how I got through my exams too and DS is a mini me from that perspective. He's a bright boy but I'm going to try (!!) to get him to focus from now!

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 11:17

It's so hard. I think it's good for their confidence to really consolidate their learning on a weekly or daily basis. Even just half an hour ensuring that they really understand the day's lessons and if not then taking the steps to speak to their teacher.

I misunderstood lots and lots and just thought ach the exam isn't for months I'll worry then. By that point though it's often overwhelming.

Hopefully regular periods like this will have a snowball effect in terms of both knowledge and confidence.

PoloMintPatty · 14/08/2021 11:34

@forfucksakenett great advice. Thanks!

TheGenealogist · 14/08/2021 11:58

@WouldBeGood

Could someone please explain the exams thing to me? Are there no exams, but still the same qualifications but teacher assessed! Are there to be new qualifications/exams? Does the SQA still exist?
Your guess is as good as mine.

The Scottish government have been so busy fannying about deciding whether people need to wear masks while dancing at clubs that they haven't got around to deciding yet.

My DD started S5 on Thursday, no clear idea how her Highers will be assessed, teachers have no answers, management in school have no answers, who knows whether SQA will exist or not.

It's a fucking disgrace and as per usual, children and their education are right at the bottom of Queen Nicola's priority list. Just after issuing substantial guidance on dealing with 4 year old wee boys in P1 who want to dress up as princesses and who are therefore exploring their transgender identity.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 12:10

@TheGenealogist

  • SQA will exist
  • Highers will be assessed using the same slimmed down curriculum from last year either through continuous gathering of evidence or with a final exam - announcement on this due soon hopefully.

The good news is that your DD's teachers now have experience of working both ways and in most cases the idea of ongoing assessment would support and strengthen a pupil's journey towards a final exam. (Would allow to identify strengths and targets etc).

Agree it would be good to know what we are heading towards but I think it's frustrating rather than disastrous. Kids and teachers do deserve to know though and I hope it's clarified ASAP.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 12:23

And there is no requirement to use poorer pieces of evidence from the beginning of the year either. All evidence could come from assessments done at the end of the academic year. This means that even if a pupil bombs an assessment then that can be filed in the bin as long as there is something stronger.

forfucksakenett · 14/08/2021 12:24

But I think there will be a final exam.