Exams cancelled 3

[HappySonHappyMum]

Started a new thread as number 2 is full…

@alrightfella

I must admit I would have preferred exams to have gone ahead with a much wider choice of questions. I'm not sure how that would have worked for science and maths though.

I would have preferred exams, too. But, I think mini assessments worked a lot better for my DS in in Eng Lang and Lit. The shortened exam format helped him.

Thanks for that info @HercwasanEnemyofEducation. It’s just all so frustrating, especially as the science teachers haven’t actually contacted me to update , all feedback has come from the senco and ta so far.

Interesting point about end of term gifts. I was planning to send in a box of tea/coffee/biscuits etc next Friday but is that too early? I don’t want it to look like bribery if the grades haven’t been decided

Can anyone help with an idea of a grade? Finished computing 5 week tests and has an overall percentage of 69% when averaged across the scores. Would that be enough for a 6 do you think? Thanks

None of us can. I can't tell you that for my own subject in my own school, and they can't tell you either.

OK. Yes they have just told them the scores and we worked out the overall percentage. Fingers crossed it's enough for a 6 as that is required for the sixth form

@Orangesandlemons77 google GCSES grade boundaries for computing the board you dc is doing. This should give you some idea. It’s so stressful isn’t it.

Is anyone able to explain to me the grading for the combined science (higher paper)

I have tried Googling but I don't understand.

DD is very worried about chemistry pulling her grades down.

Well it's last exam today for DD, maths, and last day of school. Things feel a bit tense this morning, roll on lunchtime when it's all over although she's definitely got mixed emotions now the reality of finally leaving is here. Good luck to everyone's DC, lets hope they all get what they need come 12th August.

alright Chemistry might pull her grade down, but conversely you could view that Physics & Biology would be pulling a weak Chemistry up.

The final grades go ..77,76,66,65,55,54,44,43 (for higher)

It would normally be some kind of add up all the marks/UMS, put in order and draw grade boundaries.

With the school doing it this year they might say: good marks for 2, but a bit hopeless in Chemistry, probably averages out to a .

Interesting that some teachers on here would have preferred exams. My DS finishes his last assessments today. He's had a week of them - at least 2 and sometimes 3 a day under exam conditions. Some subjects are solely basing their grades on this assessment and a similar one done immediately after lockdown ended.

A child overhead the teachers talking and from their conversation were able to work out which past paper they would be doing for their assessment. So all the children doing that aspect of this subject have now had an unfair advantage and it counts for half the grade. It doesn't seem a fair system and I'm just hoping that DS will get the grades he wants to go on to sixth form.

I feel so upset that the Y11 are finishing now. My DS had mental health problems because of lockdown and now. just as he's beginning to recover, he's got 3 months at home. He's thrilled as he says he is just going to sleep the whole time but I'm despairing as I know what the outcome will be.

Feel sorry for the teachers too.

I'm a bit unsure what DS will do the next few months, it seems a long time until September. Not sure what they have in school, there are some taster days for sixth form but not till start of July / end June...

wondering if he might finish his D of E stuff postponed due to lockdown and maybe get a summer job, perhaps.

Fingers crossed for good results it has been a stressful time.

There are suddenly a lot of job adverts for retail and especially hospitality. Now could be a good time to bag a job if your DC has finished. Many were advertised as 12 week contracts, so perfect for students. I suspect the businesses are wary of taking on permanent staff not knowing when/if they will have to close again in Autumn.

Can anyone help?

I am looking for a UK Secondary School Assessment Calendar.

To be specific, I am trying to source the typical dates of exams each term. (I know things have been different this year, but a typical/historical calendar would be great.)

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

salo answered on your new thread.

The last time I asked on one of these threads I about the possibility of sitting actual exams in the autumn I was told it wasn't happening this year, but I've read elsewhere it is.
One example:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/986351/21-67800Studentguideetoawardingginsummerr2021--_accessible.pdf

That's an easy read, but also mentioned on the gov website

Have any schools mentioned it?

DD has applied for a dozen or so jobs in the last couple of weeks, hospitality and retail, and been rejected from all of them. A family member in retail said they have lots of older applicants these days and they don't need to employ 16 year olds. I've also encouraged her to apply for work experience or volunteering but there are slim pickings out there and nothing so far. There's no provision at her school now they've finished. I think it's going to be a long summer for many year 11s.

I'm trying to get DD to go to bed- I've told her she's only got two more days of school and she can stay up late. She says she has every intention of staying up as late as she wants and sleeping in as long as she wants for the next three months. She a way off 16. I love a long hot summer more than anyone, but here it's still miserable and raining, and many of her friends are in the year below so will still be at school.

She has the odd thing to do such as a music exam to practice for, but I'm not sure this is very healthy. I'm just very happy DH is working from home or I think she could feel even more isolated than during lockdown, as she doesn't have GCSEs to work towards.

That's a shame @foosterin about jobs. I think retail and hospitality do favour over 18s as they are able to do more.

The post gcse summer is long even in normal years. I got my DD1 to do a critical thinking course online, plus she had 2 small trips, fairly local, with friends. Just keep encouraging her to arrange things with friends. Get her on Pinterest and see if she's interested in taking up a new hobby. Or cooking or baking.

I can understand the desire for some structure. Does she play any sports? Are there any sports camps going on? Could she go and stay with other relatives for a few nights, visit cousins? Grandparents?

@Foosterin

DD has applied for a dozen or so jobs in the last couple of weeks, hospitality and retail, and been rejected from all of them. A family member in retail said they have lots of older applicants these days and they don't need to employ 16 year olds. I've also encouraged her to apply for work experience or volunteering but there are slim pickings out there and nothing so far. There's no provision at her school now they've finished. I think it's going to be a long summer for many year 11s.

DS has found a job at a local fishery, he's only 15 so I didn't think a job was possible. 2 days a week, 10-3, so not loads of hours but it's £5/hr (£50/week). Not sure if you have places around like that though?

@fortyfifty good advice, thank you. She does have a few things arranged and the online course is a new idea. @Hellohah that's reassuring- we will keep looking.