My daughter's a level teacher just threatened

[LNSL]

not to even enter her for her a level exam. Seems a little harsh no? She's in the lower sixth. Got an E on a recent test, which I thought was decent enough.

What do you think to this?

@NoToMisogyny

An E isn’t really a pass. Everyone knows that.

I don't see why everyone would know that. It's not true, for one.

It's common practice in selective schools to manage out pupils with insufficient grades. There was an article about a grammar doing this during y12 so they can look good in league tables.

I remember that. It isn't just selective schools that do this. DD's old school does it as well. They make it clear at the start of 6th form that anyone who doesn't achieve a minimum of DDD at the end of year 12 will be asked to leave.

It kind of makes a mockery of A level pass grades if D and E aren't of much value. Why not make the pass cut off higher?

Some teachers are bullying arseholes. Is it possible this teacher is one? Sounds like a shitty threat rather than anything else. And I wouldn't look too kindly on those.

It kind of makes a mockery of A level pass grades if D and E aren't of much value. Why not make the pass cut off higher?

I agree with this. If A-level reforms have meant that many more students now achieve top grades then they should just get rid of the D and E grades if they don't get you into university and "don't mean anything."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level_(United_Kingdom)#Grading

@whenwillthemadnessend

*their

@CurlyhairedAssassin

It kind of makes a mockery of A level pass grades if D and E aren't of much value. Why not make the pass cut off higher?

I agree with this. If A-level reforms have meant that many more students now achieve top grades then they should just get rid of the D and E grades if they don't get you into university and "don't mean anything."

I disagree. A levels show that someone has studied a subject to a certain level and reached a particular standard. They aren't just about accessing a university place.

A levels are not for everyone, but if someone is capable of getting them, even at D/E grades, they should be allowed to try.

They are just letters. You need have multiple level grades. If you only have A-C how on earth do you separate people? Three grades? Hi do you separate the people that can get to Oxbridge, red bricks, polys and everything
In Between. It also depend on the subject. I would see an E in chemistry or physics as bigger achievement than C in an easier A-level such as media studies.

Schools really shouldn’t be asking pupils to leave due to grades in year 12 as that is effectively excluding students unlawfully.

Schools are allowed to set entrance grades to start A-levels but not to chuck them out mid course based on grades/ predicted grades.

There was a bit of fuss about it a couple of years ago. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44793707

Some, unethically, do put pressure on students to leave but can’t actually exclude. Too much pressure based on league tables and obsession with top grades, when all passes are a pass!

a grade E is not decent. It is a waste of tax payers’ money.

@RandomComment

a grade E is not decent. It is a waste of tax payers’ money.

Nice. I will go and tell my son he wasted tax payers money ploughing on as best he could through his breakdown. He should have dropped out and gone on benefits. Oh, hang on....

No. He should have chosen a more appropriate course, learn a trade or join an apprentice scheme. There are many possible routes. Not every kid is cut out for academic subjects and learning 15-20% of the course content is a waste of everyone’s time and effort.

@RandomComment

No. He should have chosen a more appropriate course, learn a trade or join an apprentice scheme. There are many possible routes. Not every kid is cut out for academic subjects and learning 15-20% of the course content is a waste of everyone’s time and effort.

Random, no, he was predicted AAB at the start of the courses. He had a mental breakdown. Putting him on a btech or trade course was not going to solve that.

I am incredibly proud of his E. It was the hardest thing he ever did, forcing himself back into that environment day after day, when he was so ill. Let's say he had leukemia and was too unwell to score as had been expected, would you still be suggesting that he should have been switched on to a trade course? Or that his E achieved despite severe illness was a waste of taxpayer's money? Catch on to yourself. Grow a compassion bone.