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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

GCSE Start End Dates 2022

25 replies

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 14:37

Hi, I am a very very frustrated parent right now! My sons high school told the students to make sure they didn't book any holidays until after 10th June 2022................. I have gone ahead and booked a holiday (much needed if we get to go) for 13th June. Now his school are saying I need to take into account the last date 24th June for end of GCSE exams. I have printed off the AQA provisional dates and think I may either be very lucky or may need to move our holiday which is now going to cost a lot more (I know GCSE's are most important over money).
Does anyone else have ANY proposed dates at all as I feel so so hassled and we don't even know they'll be taking GCSE's.
Any advice appreciated at all

OP posts:

lanthanum · 15/09/2021 15:07

The boards agree the timetable between them, so that each subject is on the same day regardless of which board. Since that AQA provisonal timetable shows science on 15th/20th/23rd, I can't see there being enough change to save your holiday. Sorry!

(A parent at a school I taught in booked a holiday which clashed with the GCSEs. When she found out, she was very upset, because now her daughter wouldn't get the grades she needed for the college course she wanted to do. I hope someone managed to make her see sense on that!)

clary · 15/09/2021 16:03

13 June would be an early date for exams to be over tbh, so I think you were poorly advised there op.

My dc finished their GCSE exams (in last 6 years) on dates varying from 15 - 21 June. There were usually a few exams even later (typically German). I believe this year's provisional timetable has exams starting later to allow more time.

A provisional timetable was published by AQA last week and as pp says, it shows subjects such as French, Spanish, history, biology in wk comm 13 June; and wk comm 20 Jun shows physics, chem and combined science. I think you need to rebook your holiday, sorry.

LIZS · 15/09/2021 16:11

There is always a reserve date later in June. Dd's went into third week of June anyway although many of her friends finished the week before.

Original poster

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 16:34

So basically the dates on AQA are provisional at this time anyway & could change. Let’s face it this is IF they even do their GCSE’s. The last 2 year 11 leavers haven’t due to Covid. Not changing my holiday just yet, got lots of time. The last 18 months have been a total shambles at his school regardless of Covid. Out of 7 subjects he’s studying 6 teachers have left & he’s had supply teachers. All a mess

OP posts:

Original poster

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 16:41

Oh dear. I’d never go on holiday knowing he had any exams which determine his future. Looks as though they’re proposing later dates next year. Not changing holiday just yet because let’s face it Covid could change all this again. I know they’re stressing to my son no matter what he WILL do GCSEs next year but his yr group has suffered more, so much more than the previous 2. He’s done no coursework & they’re so behind on work it’s beats me how they’re ever going to catch up.

OP posts:

clary · 15/09/2021 16:59

Hi OP, imo exams have to go ahead next year in some form (modified I hope).

I agree current Yr 11 have had a tough time. The stress of a holiday in exam time is not going to help tho.

You mention coursework - hardly any GCSEs have this now, apart from DT and art, so if he is not doing those I wouldn't worry too much.

Yes the dates could change, but I doubt they will be pulled back two weeks. Odd exams dates might change, but the chances are your dc would miss exams for all three sciences if you went away on 13 June. As I say, I would rebook ASAP.

Original poster

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 17:16

Hi all your advice is much appreciated & yes looking at all the dates now there is NO WAY we could go on this particular date. We are looking to change the date.

OP posts:

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 19:41

Please can someone add the timetable or link with the dates? TIA

Original poster

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 19:52

If you go on AQA website they’re all
Listed but basically as it stands Provisional GSCE’s are planned to take place between 16 May until 24 June. Hope that helps.

OP posts:

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 19:59

@Jo7890

If you go on AQA website they’re all Listed but basically as it stands Provisional GSCE’s are planned to take place between 16 May until 24 June. Hope that helps.

Thanks but google is not my friend tonight as I can't seem to find it on there

Are you able to add a link please? Thanks

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 20:02

@Jo7890

If you go on AQA website they’re all Listed but basically as it stands Provisional GSCE’s are planned to take place between 16 May until 24 June. Hope that helps.

I've had another look and found them thank you!

Original poster

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 20:14

No problem. I’m still not convinced I’m really not! They’ve had so much disruption let’s face it anything can happen. I’m waiting until as late as possible to change our holiday after speaking to TUI as would of been stung for £100 amendment fee plus paying more to go on a later date so I’m going to take the risk & see what happens with Covid & if they still think early next year they’ll be doing them. ( I know I have to change but hanging on with a tiny bit of hope yet plus I’ve got more than enough time 🤣🤣)

OP posts:

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 20:19

So it looks like there is definitely no Art exam and will be coursework only - is that right?

Anyone else wondering if Gavin Williamson's departure today will change anything with regards to next year's exams?

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 20:23

Sorry crossed post - I'm not either! Desperate to get a holiday booked but darent risk it just yet as who knows what will happen. I'd wait too in your position

Gizmo98765 · 15/09/2021 20:29

The last two years have been an absolute fiasco. If I were you I would change the holiday to the first week in July if poss. Last year DD had things like Leavers Assembly and 6th form induction up until the end of June.

The school usually has a 6th form diary/calendar which is usually available on line on the school page.

clary · 15/09/2021 20:31

@Mykittensaremyfriends

So it looks like there is definitely no Art exam and will be coursework only - is that right?

Anyone else wondering if Gavin Williamson's departure today will change anything with regards to next year's exams?

No, there is an art exam, usually at any rate - a very long one but it is well ahead of the normal exam season. I believe there is also a coursework element to art GCSE - a portfolio of work. There is also coursework with DT - something you have to make (in textiles, resistant materials, food).

But there is no coursework any more in (for example) Eng lit, French, German and other subjects where there used to be - it is all exam based. This is in a normal year you7 understand. I personally think they will have to modify the content of the exams next summer but I also think they will go ahead.

Original poster

Jo7890 · 15/09/2021 20:33

My sons school isn’t sixth form so the only date he’s got after exams is prom which he’s certainly not bothered about not leaving assemblies etc. Sad but he just wants to leave now it’s not a great school & got so much worse during covid.
He’d rather be on holiday!!! Yes I’m looking to change but not at the moment. Got lots of time & trying to at least avoid the amendment fee 😖😖

OP posts:

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 20:40

Clary - I'm aware there's usually a 10 hour exam for art but there is no date listed on the provisional timetable only a non exam assessed portfolio date and the recent consultation proposed they would remove it again next year and move to 100% coursework as they have in 2020 and 2021 hence my question

clary · 15/09/2021 20:45

@Mykittensaremyfriends

Ah Ok many apologies, I thought you were taking that from my post about coursework! Sounds like you know more about art GCSE than I do (not hard tbh). If that's what they have proposed, and a date would normally be set (presumably parameters between which the exam must be sat?) it's probably what will happen then. Could be a win!

Mykittensaremyfriends · 15/09/2021 21:08

Clary definitely not an expert but desperately hoping it is a win and that the exam is cancelled! I think it's usually earlier in the Spring term but can't find a definitive date anywhere so hoping a someone with more knowledge can confirm

alrightfella · 15/09/2021 22:05

@Jo7890 there's usually a contingency day built in too which tends to be the last week of June. This is in the event of something that would affect all schools and mean exams couldn't go ahead as normal. Not sure if it's ever been used.

FifiForgot · 16/09/2021 17:42

The Art exam date is set by the centre, not by the boards.

The last date for GCSE exams this according to the provisional time table is 28 June, the contingency day is 29 June.

Ell198 · 25/09/2021 14:36

@Jo7890

If you go on AQA website they’re all Listed but basically as it stands Provisional GSCE’s are planned to take place between 16 May until 24 June. Hope that helps.

Please can you send me a picture or a link to the timetable? I can't seem to find it. Thank you!

clary · 30/09/2021 22:17

@Mykittensaremyfriends no art exam in 2022, portfolio assessment only - see the gov.uk info issued today

Mykittensaremyfriends · 01/10/2021 00:21

[quote clary]@Mykittensaremyfriends no art exam in 2022, portfolio assessment only - see the gov.uk info issued today[/quote]
Thank you @clary for taking the time to update. I've just been catching up with the announcement

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