GCSE Summer 2021 - Concerned? Worried or just crying......

[SoTiredNeedHoliday]

Hi I am looking for feedback on how your children are learning in this period? Are they focused? If so how are you getting them to focus?

Do you feel they are learning new course work in detail / in a way that will be retained for the exams?

I am struggling to get my Ds to focus and be engaged in this time and I am really worried about him falling behind and having a really bad experience come next year and the exam time.

I saw this on change.org what do you think?
Change.org Petition

It seems like something that should be considered soon so students and teachers know what there methods assessment will be?

I have a Y10. Im also a School Governor.

Believe me, we've had plenty of zoom meetings about all this. OFQUAL are concentrating on delivering grades as planned for Y11 and Y13. Schools have only just got past their deadline to deliver all assessments and data. Our Head and SLT have assured us that OFQUAL and the Government have said they will be turning their full attention to current Y10's and Y12's as soon as possible.

There are many theories flying about but they are just rumours and ideas atm. Some heads are talking about a reduced GCSE paper to included the curriculum they've covered within school. Pauses could have multiple choice selections for certain schools who have covered the curriculum in a different order. The grade boundaries may be lower or wider?

I get the worry. I'm worried. But I'm bolstered by the fact that all students are in the same boat. I can assure you some adjusting for exams will happen.

Papers not pauses

Our school confirmed today that they have decided against bringing yrs 10 & 12 (I have children in both years) in before September as things stand. They’ve been running virtual school to normal timetable with lessons on Google Meet from the very start of lockdown and they feel carrying on like this gives the students better quality teaching and experience. They still have assembly, tutor time, choir practice, music lessons etc. End of year exams will be. Via Google Classroom which they have trialed and seems suitable.

I’m pleased they’ve decided and feel this is the best option. (The school is a state Grammar).

The problem is, all students are not in the same boat. My ds is in Y10 at a good state secondary and their virtual offering has been reasonable, but far short of what they would’ve had in the classroom. We certainly haven’t had live lessons, tutor time, or anything other than ‘teach yourself’ work set. Feedback has been extremely patchy - there are 300 pupils in my son’s year, I’m sure the school are doing their best but I’m definitely worried that the gulf between indies, grammars and schools that have gone the extra mile is going to be really wide. My younger son is at an independent prep and the quality of provision is miles and miles better - he hasn’t lost any learning time and is being taught virtually with work marked and returned every day.

I’m sad too from a social perspective, my son really wanted to go back this year but it seems that schools are being held hostage by the unions. I am sad for my child, but I am even sadder for those children who are not supported at home, they stand no chance.

Agree the children in unsupported homes, cramped environments, poor schools etc are very badly affected and I worry for them.

I know my children have been very fortunate and their teachers have worked massively hard in order to achieve it - my year 10 said today they wondered why in the last 2 weeks at school their biology teacher made them do a load of seemingly random practicals - they’ve just twigged they were some core practicals.

I worry about the practical elements of exams - my year 10 is doing music & drama both of which would have had some assessed components in year 10. My year 12 is doing A level Geography with the NEA counting for 30% which would have been completed this school year (and hasn’t been started).

I find it shocking that some secondary students have had no face to face time with teachers. Our school pretty much emptied its classrooms sending students home with piano keyboards (if doing gcse music and didn’t have one at home), rowing machines, computer equipment, most of tge library books etc etc - anything people could make use of at home went pretty much.

Of course the most popular part of virtual school by far with both my children has been meeting the teachers pets!

I haven't signed, but that's not to say I won't sign.

My DD did very poorly on her Y6 Sats, so her GCSE targets are low. Her GCSE teachers are a bit bemused by this, as she has made a maxing progress. I can't support anything that means her SATa or targets would be used for a final GCSE grade. Also, she's had no zoom or similar with teachers, it's mostly the lesson power point and she's had to teach herself. Sometimes if I don't understand it we've just hit a brick wall and she's made zero progress. She's now, for reasons I won't go into, not doing any academic learning. She needs to be back in school with an actual teacher. The gap between bright children and good schools and less able and crap schools is now going to be massive. I'm not sure what the answer is. There probably isn't an ideal solution.

I think the only fair way is to adjust the grade boundary. I don't want content to be reduced as some children will have covered in different order and it would be chaos. Also the content is somewhat related in many cases so not sure they would have the time to do this properly.

I am not sure about teacher assessments either. Dd thinks for example that some children always cheat in their assessments in class and at home it will be worse with some receiving lots of help some left to their own devices.

It's a mess and I am really worried 😯

I have dc in year 10 and 12 and we have had very little work, little feedback, zero marking and no face you face work. I'm desperately worried.

My ds js in year 10 and I am now worried. Initially he was doing well but it is hard to be so disciplined at such a young age, for so long and realise the impact it will have later.

He is anxious about going back, so I am not sure if that will work. We have had no zoom or Microsoft teams like a few of my friends children. Slightly concerned- as I think he needs to have a chat with all his teachers and recharge his batteries and get motivated.

I feel very sorry for all Year 10s and 12s.

I am now even wandering how will it all work in the Autumn term- as they start in Year 11!