Surely using mocks for GCSE grades is hugely unfair.

[1nterstar]

Our school did them before Christmas before the whole course was completed, others were doing them this week.

Many kids don’t revise as much for mocks as the real thing( if at all).

The content and marking varies hugely.

Just how can they be used?

'is hugely unfair'
Lesson One.......Life is unfair. It's unfair OP that you were born in a country with one of the best education systems in the world (and at least until you are 18 totally).

No child should be punished for working towards GCSEs instead of mocks.* But it is the entire cohort taking their GCSEs and A levels this year.
What ever method is used it is not fair, as in maximising a child's grade, for everyone. Traditional exams in June favours boys over girls and privately schooled children over state. This year all students will be assessed in a way that is not normal or forseen. What it doesn't do is disadvantage one child any more than any other. They are all going through the same process, whatever that is.

Too bad. Move onto another thread if you don’t like it. Perfectly entitled to discuss this and know plenty in RL seriously unhappy about mocks being used.Who knows to what extent. You certainly don’t.

They’re not going through the same process at all.

My DD is home educated, we didn't do mocks. She is completely self taught with no tutor or teacher input.
What's going to happen to her GCSE results?
Yes, she's done a ton of past papers but what good is that, I hardly think they'll use a parent predicted grade for her.

And really don’t think post Gove we have one of the best education systems in the world. 😂

You clearly aren't listening to the posters telling you it won't just be mocks.

Home Ed I'm guessing will have to do November resits in Maths and English and the rest next summer.

Nobody has said that mocks will be used, especially not the Education Secretary.

I expect it will be teacher assessment/predicted grades and looking at coursework.

These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary measures.

@fedup21 you mean you don't have a mate whose nans aunts dog works for the DfE and has told you about the plan to only use mock results as exam grades this year?

Here in Scotland it's already been announced that predicted grades and course work will be used.
All DC's have been doing prelims again this week in class and a lot have stayed behind after school to complete all work required

No one can come up with a solution but everyone can moan about what they're trying to do. We have been dealt this shitty new normal and have to go with whatever is decided, preferably without your kids knowing you think it's crap as they'll then start to worry too

Using coursework makes sense.

This thread has prompted me to write my first mumsnet message ever.

I have twins. One might get good "predicted" grades and the other might not. This may well end up being "unfair". What I hope they gain from this is the character and resilience to accept it, make a plan and move forward. End of.

I have twins too, both bright with high predicted grades. One did buggar all for mocks and nailed them. Other fell to pieces in very early mocks through no fault of his own but has worked hard to pick himself up, plug gaps and move forward with resilience. Was all coming together and just a case of getting content learnt by heart as concepts all pretty much there. Was on it and had it all mapped out to do just that, looking forward to being at home and getting head down.Really hope his future isn’t going to be stunted by mocks held at a shitty early time that have no baring on his ability.

plenty in RL seriously unhappy about mocks being used

Though it's a bit of a straw man argument, as no worthwhile commentator has suggested they will be.

(Other than as one of the several items that would inform a teacher's evidence based predicted grade)

It is ONE of the things being discussed along with everyone being made to repeat the year. Both are extremely unlikely 🙄.
It will be based on teacher predictions

Haven't read this entire thread so apologies if already mentioned, but schools if schools were to reopen in 3 months time, couldn't the government move forward exam dates to say end of July?
Please don't shoot me down if it's a stupid question. I'm just wondering.

Thank you

No, they have cancelled them totally, as there is no certainty on timelines. However they are saying for kids who are unhappy with the grades they are allocated, then there will likely be an opportunity in the autumn to sit the actual exam.

Thanks Bluntness

Probably some combination of mocks, teacher predictions, coursework and possibly shorter timed exams in late August early Sept depending on the pandemic will be fed into a mathematical formula.

Cheri and others. As secondary teachers you might not be familiar with the collected works of Allan Ahlberg (and why hasn't that man been knighted , but that's for another day). So you probably don't know Please Mrs Butler, more specifically Colin.

Here's a probably mis remembered taster. For the best effect read in a weary half past two on Friday afternoon voice.

Colin

"When you look at me like that Colin,
And wave your hand up in the sir,
I always know what's coming next-
'Please sir, it isn't fair'

When your life comes to an end Colin,
Though I doubt I will be there
I can see the words on your tombstone now
"Please sir, it isn't fair'

It was written a long time ago, I expect Colin has grown up and has his own kids now, but it still isn't fair is it Colin?

Oh I have taught so many Colins!

Our Y11s were told to hand in their coursework and notebooks as potential supporting evidence for teacher-predicted grades. Which will obviously be better for organised note-takers than last-minute blaggers. But all systems favour someone - ours has traditionally worked for chancers like Boris Johnson. Perhaps it's time to reward something else.

Wheras my year 11 son asked one of his teachers about finishing his music coursework and was told not to.

Statement from WJEC exam board: