Why do you think some schools are taking a much tougher approach to GCSES this year?

[Curlyshirl]

I’m fairly certain that schools are going to do the right thing for their year 11 cohort this year, and so I’m really struggling to understand the approach my DSs school are taking.
They’re sitting normal format GCSES with nothing taken out and no modifications in exam conditions. This is their only chance, the marks for these are the marks they’ll get. Other schools seem to be taking a much more gentle approach and seem to be getting much more chances to show their best work or improve on a grade.
Are there any teachers who teach at schools taking the approach DSs school are taking who can explain why this is a good approach. I’m actually finding it quite worrying.

Not a teacher!

You could take the view that pupils have practiced exams in exam formats, so they are sitting what they have been prepared for. This could be considered less stress for the pupils.

It also means that for the school they have very clear exams on which to base their grading, leading to more ability to push back on complaints.

It will be for consistency and clarity. Usually, exam boards make marking decisions. This will be down to the teachers (though they're not getting paid for it and exam boards are). They will want a system that is as watertight as possible without any wooliness.

Thanks for replying. I can see that this approach is completely watertight and they’ll be absolutely no disputing the grades but do you think it’s detrimental for the DC. Are they more likely to get lower grades than other schools taking a softer approach?

I guess it depends how they set grade boundaries.

Whether they set them to be in line with expectations for the year (accepting ups and downs of exams) or whether they set them a bit lower to give borderline pupils the 'benefit of the doubt'.

Some children will think multiple lower stakes tests are preferable.
Others would prefer fewer tests they can prepare for and focus on properly.

I’m pretty sure most dc could do well in a test they know on a specific topic, than a test that could be on anything in the entire syllabus and much less stressful too.