Exams cancelled 3

[HappySonHappyMum]

Started a new thread as number 2 is full…

Assessments in July would have pushed results into September.

When’s the latest that could have worked MrsHamlet?

This is new to me as first dc and I studied o/s

We’re nearly done now but was June out too?

I don’t mind that much , Ds seems ok with it. Out of interest

Also I’m glad you both remember the extra weeks Teen and Pass

Not misremembering!

Yes. The turn around time from results to the boards to results out is 8 weeks this year.

Had they been doing real exams, later assessments would've been better. But we're assessing what they did do rather than what they should've done, so there are no gaps to fill.

In a normal year, the results dribble in from 2 weeks after the paper is sat. This year, there will be a huge amount of data all appearing at the same time. It'll be a logistical nightmare.

Ok thanks

I am surprised at schools finishing already when info doesn't need to be submitted by the schools until 18th June. On the other hand finishing early means less stress for pupils and more time for staff to moderate.

Our y11 sat their first assessment 3 weeks ago. One week to mark 230 papers alongside teaching. One week to moderate those marks.
They sat the second 2 weeks ago. One week to mark 230 papers alongside teaching. One week to moderate those marks.
They sat the third last week. This weekend, I have to mark 32 papers, plus moderate the marking of week 2's paper.... I've spent 10 hours on that already.
I'm on my knees.

Half term seems to be the general consensus for year 11 leaving. Gives enough time to moderate, chase up any work, collate data etc. I wouldn't want to be marking anything after May 28th to be honest.

It's going to be interesting to see the ofqual process (if there is one) for checking the data...

I think we're all agreed that exams better be back for 2022!

@MrsHamlet I know this year has been tough on the year 13's and year 11's but I feel for the teachers too. So much marking on top of teaching time you must be exhausted.

I've been billed for A levels which is definitely not going to the teachers who are doing the actual work. Not sure how the exam boards can justify this.

Last weekend, I left the house once - at 9pm on Sunday. The rest of it was spent marking, til 9 both Friday and Saturday. The earliest I've stopped working this week has been 9; the latest 11.
I'm lucky in that I am senior enough to not teach a full timetable, but I do have 2 y11 and a y13 class. My other classes are y10 and 12. There's no give.
One of my y13 was crying in my office yesterday, she's so stressed. It was all I could do not to join her.

@MarshaBradyo

Ds has had weeks of assessments

He’s holding up though! Getting good marks back so far

I’ve finally come to terms with cancelled proper exams since he’s had so many, and seems happy

I'm surprised to read that some students are being given their marks as they go along. My daughter's teachers would not give a hint of indicative grades at a parents evening 3 weeks ago. Just said to keep working hard. Other than mocks before Christmas, we have no idea of the possible outcome.

We're not allowed to give indicative grades. Marks are okay though - we're not giving them til they've been internally standardised though.

We're giving marks out too, after internal standardisation. This gives them an idea of where they are compared to their peers. But absolutely nothing grade related. Even SLT have gone off the "let's sit and have a chat about a grade range" idea. Horrible really because any other year we'd give a grade on a past paper etc.

Not even marks here. I can understand not giving a hint of grades. But the teachers said they're not allowed to give any feedback because then parents might interpret that into a grade range and complain afterwards. This was across the board, so it's clearly the SLT policy.

It's therefore been very difficult to know which subjects to prioritise. If we knew one science was weaker than the others, for example, she could've done more revision for that subject.
Every teacher just said - these exams are really important, you've got to work hard.

It is hard Candle, the guidance is not very clear and different teams will have interpreted it differently. Your team know your parents too. Ours are on the whole laissez-faire whereas a more involved parent body may be more likely to do as you describe.

I can't imagine the parents being particularly militant. It's just a standard comp. But it's big, so I suppose a lot of people to deal with.
Very difficult, and so much is open to interpretation.

It has really helped here to get an indication of grade at this point.

I have nothing but positive things to say about school and Head etc. I’m sure they’re working very hard, we have an extra inset day to deal with it.

An extra inset day is something I dream of in the few hours of sleep I'm getting at the moment

An extra inset would be amazing.

It doesn't take much for parents to start appealing based on Freddie scoring a 5 in one test and only getting a 4 overall. I can see why heads are being cautious.

No marks given here either for Yr11 & Yr13 and I do understand why. The students themselves would be making assumptions let alone parents. There’s a bit of grumbling from the yr13’s who would normally have had mocks to help decide on which uni to firm & insure. Doesn’t seem to be bothering yr11’s as much yet they’ll still need decent grades to progress.
The teachers must absolutely be on their knees as there really hasn’t been any let up. We’ve also been billed from the exam boards (independent school) - it’s quite a bit too. Shame that doesn’t go to the teachers who’ve actually done the marking & all the extra work!

What does it mean to be billed from the exam boards? Are they charging schools normal fees do doing less work?

What does it mean to be billed from the exam boards? Are they charging schools normal fees do doing less work?
Yes

@passmethemilk

What does it mean to be billed from the exam boards? Are they charging schools normal fees do doing less work?

It means there has been a disproportionate increase in exams fees especially in light of the fact teachers are now marking papers. DD’s school didn’t even dream about using the papers issued as it couldn’t mean a fair playing field so instead gave exam board past parts from boards the girls hadn’t leaned. Go figure. Some schools I know had the exam papers set as home work amd then as exams. So I sort of get our Head’s point by not letting his students sit these sham of tests, but how have the exam boards gained their fee?

Yes certificate will need to be issued. Investigations made etc but they haven’t had to pay markers etc. I think the fee should be cut or if not cut shared with teachers.

@MrsHamlet

What does it mean to be billed from the exam boards? Are they charging schools normal fees do doing less work? Yes

I had never even considered this. What an utter shambles. And so unfair for the teachers.

Yes. I normally mark 700 papers a year and get paid for my expertise. This year, I'm supporting my colleagues in marking theirs for free on top of my full timetable. I'm exhausted, and it's far from over.

Similar MrsH. I'm writing exams, marking them, standardising and moderating them, all while teaching 23+ hours a week. It's bonkers.