Oh dear god they still don't have enough markers for GCSE English

[noblegiraffe]

This ad just popped up on my twitter feed.

And this just after the news that KS2 writing assessments are totally unreliable - apparently marking English is quite hard to get right.

It's going to be a car crash come August. No way are the results going to be reliable. Get your remark applications ready.

I'm thinking of applying for AQA 8700

Pros:

CPD
I love my job
Good to get in at the start
Benefit to centre
Informed future teaching of new spec
Proactive/reactive
Hate stapling stuff to walls.

Cons:
Home computer rubbish
Like time off, but not too much
Not confident about viability new spec mark scheme
Too old for it to enhance my CV.

Neutral:
Money neither here nor there as we're always going to be on the negative side of Mr Micawber's happiness quote.

So what would you do?

I wouldn't underestimate how much you might struggle if you don't have a reliable computer and internet connection if you're marking online.

I would find it very hard to meet the deadlines if I had to content with PC problems

Can you give it a go for one session maybe with only a small allocation of scripts and see how you find it?

Thank you, good idea. I'll have a look if the board still want markers when I get back next week.

When I took on a new subject I asked for a half allocation for my first session, I think they must have been quite desperate for examiners as they agreed straight away. It was a longer paper than I'd done previously and I didn't want to overcommit.

The first year took me ages but I've done a couple more since with a full allocation and it's got easier each time.

It's not with AQA so maybe they do things differently

I am currently marking a GCSE paper (won't say which, but it's one of the subjects that is somewhat 'subjective'!). I've taught for 15 years and have never had any issues with my accuracy, but I am finding this so hard. Have been out of tolerance, but am taking great care and moving about half as fast as I need to. Really feel like chucking it in but it's going to hugely dent my professional confidence if I do. Don't particularly need th money - would like the experience. Currently 'paused' due to intolerance (which isn't great as I've sent the kids out with their dad all day so I can get on!) Argh!!! Any advice/support welcome!

Make sure you have hard copies of the standardising scripts beside you and refer to them all the time until you get your eye in.

Thanks. That would help - I do refer back but it's not easy with them on screen. I'll have to see whether I can find a way to print them off!

Oh dear, if experienced teachers are finding it tough then what hope do PGCE students and NQTs have?

Maybe I'm just awful. And didn't know it until now!!!