Changes to GCSE and A-level 2021

[TheletterZ]

Guidance has just been published.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/906173/Consultation_decisions_-_proposed_changes_to_the_assessment_of_GCSEs__AS_and_A_levels_in_2021.pdf

(Sorry if someone else has published this already, I had a quick look but couldn’t spot one)

Main changes for gcse:
Science practicals can be demos
PE to go to 2 sports rather than 3
DT & Engineering to accept mock ups
Performances can be solo and audience can be 1 person
English literature and history to have choice of content in exam

The full break down is on p14 of the document.

Are you happy with this or think more should be done?

Yes, absolutely! 😡

It's becoming clear that next years Y11s and Y13s are being royally screwed over.

No idea what to advise ds...I left 6th form after A level and didn't go to University and dh did an apprenticeship degree.

I have two Year 12s too! Very little support from the school - we've had lots of work set, often told to just read the next chapter in their textbook and answer questions at end, that all the input for a week - work not marked and no feedback in 4 months. Set exams told to mark themselves and forward result - if result was different to last exam it would be disregarded - wouldn't take a genius child to realise teachers not really making much effort. - hard for kids to keep motivated when they don't see much feedback from their teachers. Wish we could move schools but with all the different exam boards and the dcs reluctant - it's probably not a good idea. I am really worried about the impact this will have on my dcs - everyone seems to be in denial - they should be more motivated, they should be able to work independently (for 4 months - that's as bit much for anyone), what do you expect? But the exams are not changing it's business as usual - the wheels have come off with one of my kids - they need structure. Four months of working by themselves was not planned and didn't suit their working style - so they have gone from estimated grades of A*AA to CCD, I have no idea what to do because I can no longer intervene...17 year olds do not want their parents asking them about homework again and again.

Shalaalaa, I can confirm that no 17 yr olds do not like their parents asking them
About homework ! Just had a 10 minute screaming fit from one of mine .
Seeing the government dealing with this year’s exam grades and them back tracking and seemingly making things up as they go , I can only hope that the same thing will happen to our kids . We have a long way to go until next summer and I can’t imagine things will go to plan . I think it will become very apparent that the work set and completed by the kids was very different to what the government thinks they have done .
I have heard of some schools that have done every lesson live with the teacher and some who have not set work as a significant number of pupils don’t have access to the tech needed . I’m hoping that they are firefighting and dealing with current problems !

The school I'm a governor at applied for the Govt laptops for underprivileged kids back in March....

Still waiting!

I hear through the grapevine 60,000 have been sent to DEFRA instead that pesky no deal brexit

We've given up with his Geography teacher who has been utterly rubbish.

We've booked him 6 x sessions with a private tutor at ££££ to revise for his Geography exam when he gets back...

I'm SO angry about it. His Geography teacher has been sat at home on full pay for months ffs!! 🤬 but he can't seem to answer e mails or do online lessons??

@yoikes

The school I'm a governor at applied for the Govt laptops for underprivileged kids back in March....

Still waiting!

I hear through the grapevine 60,000 have been sent to DEFRA instead that pesky no deal brexit

Our Governors publicly thanked our school for the amazing job they were doing...meanwhile in the real world all the parents though wtf! The school did next to nothing! The bullshit PR is everything and it's so bloody tiring to put up with this crap.

@yoikes

We've given up with his Geography teacher who has been utterly rubbish.

We've booked him 6 x sessions with a private tutor at ££££ to revise for his Geography exam when he gets back...

I'm SO angry about it. His Geography teacher has been sat at home on full pay for months ffs!! 🤬 but he can't seem to answer e mails or do online lessons??

My kids Geog teacher doesn't have a young family - still did close to fuck all. Mind you no one was too impressed by her before lockdown..but where's the school management team? Oh that's right - kid's fault, get a tutor if you need help!

That's part of the issue though, isn't it?

Some schools managed to provide decent online support and lessons with appropriate feedback/marking etc (our secondary did)

But many didn't, including the schools my my Y12 and Y6 dc go to...I can print off twinkl worksheets myself ffs!

Ds1 has already been told his college will be going to 50% on site and 50% home learning

@yoikes

That's part of the issue though, isn't it?

Some schools managed to provide decent online support and lessons with appropriate feedback/marking etc (our secondary did)

But many didn't, including the schools my my Y12 and Y6 dc go to...I can print off twinkl worksheets myself ffs!

Ds1 has already been told his college will be going to 50% on site and 50% home learning

I tried to bring it to the attention of our privately educated and admittedly pretty shit MP but he doesn't seem able (or more likely willing) to comprehend my point that some schools (mostly private) were brilliant but some were shit and it wasn't just the underprivileged kids who got a shit deal - I will try again though .

It’s tough enough being a teenager with out all this extra . At least they have us to fight for them even though they may not currently appreciate it .

Sadly, anyone who thinks tories give a toss about state education is deluded.

GW is very possibly the worst education secretary (besides Gove) the UK hardener had.

I see that the appeals process for A levels won't be ready until next week....

Those poor kids🤬

@Pinkpeanut27

It’s tough enough being a teenager with out all this extra . At least they have us to fight for them even though they may not currently appreciate it .

Ain't that the truth!