I booked a holiday before GCSE exam contingency day

[onefineday2019]

Hello

I desperately need your help and advice!
I don't know how come I missed the email regarding the exam contingency day.
Without knowing it, I booked a holiday right after the exam until 28th June which is the exam contingency day. Afterwards, I was told that I shouldn't have booked anything before 28th June.
For now, I only booked the flight tickets and I will lose half of the price if I cancel it now.
I am not sure if I need to cancel them now or just book refundable hotels in addition and see what would happen, risking to lose the flight tickets if worst thing happens.
Do the students need to attend the school although they finish the exam without any issue or delay? Or if they complete the exam are they free to go away?
Any advice or experience would be really appreciated.
Thank you!!

If all exams go ahead, contingency day isn't used.

I would honestly just forget about it. It will likely be fine. There is a small chance it will be used, but it's a small chance. You should prob just hope for the best - especially as you lose half the money if you cancel now.

From the JCQ website:

"Summer 2023 contingency days

The awarding bodies have collectively agreed a contingency day for several years now which is always scheduled at the end of the GCSE, GCE AS and A-level exam timetables.

The contingency day is in the event of national or significant local disruption to exams in the United Kingdom, being part of the awarding bodies’ standard contingency planning for exams.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, further resilience was needed within the exam timetables. A single contingency day was not felt to be sufficient if a national event or incident had a significant effect on the exam timetable. For example, summer exams could be affected by extremely high temperatures.

For the June 2023 exams, the awarding bodies have therefore introduced two additional half-day contingency sessions. These are on Thursday 8 June 2023 and Thursday 15 June 2023. The standard contingency day remains at the end of the timetable being scheduled on Wednesday 28 June 2023.

Schools and colleges should ensure candidates and parents are aware of the contingency arrangements on these three days. They should consider the contingency day of Wednesday 28 June 2023 when making their plans for the summer. Candidates should be encouraged to remain available until Wednesday 28 June 2023 should examinations need to be rescheduled."

It takes a major event to trigger a need for the exam contingency days so on the balance of probability you'll be OK. It's a gamble, but hopefully one that goes in your favour.

We've booked a UK holiday during the same period because my eldest really needs a nice break...well we all do really after the last two years and the prices are much cheaper during that time (for obvious reasons). We figure we'll just drive back if needed but hopefully not.

We have done the same 🤦‍♀️ And would not be able to get back very easily. I am not sure what to do!

Is your DC capable of flying alone if someone could take them to the airport? So if the worst came to the worst, which is probably not going to happen, they could join you a day later? Depends on the experience and general maturity of your dc though.

I’d let mine at a push though it’s not ideal. You’d know if contingency day was going to be used in advance giving you time to sort another flight.

Actually my holiday is from 20th till 28th, exactly period I shouldn't go away. I feel so silly.
I was thinking of changing the returning date to 27th, a day earlier but if it really happens and the exam is rescheduled I don't think we can go on a holiday before the exam.

Sorry but glad to know that I am not the only one.
I have learnt a lesson that I should read all the emails from the school carefully. 😭

That is really assuring. Thank you.

I wouldn't book for that time, but now you have I would keep the booking.

Does anyone have an example ever of the date being used?
The event would have to be major and on a date your DC had an exam anyway.
I'd be stressed but something to stress about other than GCSEs!

The likelihood is that all exams will go ahead as planned. Contingency days aren't often used. As you say, stick to booking cancelable hotels and be ready and able to cancel the whole thing if any exams are disrupted, keep fingers crossed and it will probably be fine.

@SomersetBrie , it was bought in after the arianna grande concert bombing, the first year was 2019 and then exams were cancelled for 2 years. This year has the addition of 2 afternoons too.

I can't think of it ever being used.

But that doesn't mean it never will be. And it's interesting to see that they've actually added more contingency slots this year (and because they mention the increased likelihood of dangerously high temperatures as a reason)

You'll know some time beforehand if it will be activated, and you'll have to get the candidate there by hook or by crook.

Where are you holidaying? Worst case scenario you maybe able to pay to take it at a local school that does English exams ? Like an Expat or Overseas school ?

In the unlikely event it’s needed I mean.

I've got one doing A levels and one doing GCSEs. They're going interrailing together and will be half way through on that date so we're really hoping it isn't needed! They'd booked before it was announced.

The contingency day is being used in Scotland due the extra coronation bank holiday- exams that were on that day have been put back to the 30th May which was our contingency (but our exams start this week). We knew that well in advance though.

I’ve been teaching GCSEs for 17 years and I’ve never known the contingency day be used. No, you probably shouldn’t have booked to go away, but chances are you’ll be absolutely fine.

Oh, no, I hope that doesn't happen. We are going to Portugal.

Book refundable hotels but don’t cancel the flight.

I think the contingency day was introduced after Grenfell, when some poor students who'd been involved in the fire had to sit exams the next day as there was no provision for them to do anything else?

It's highly unlikely that it will be used - I agree with the poster that said whilst I wouldn't have booked the dates you have, I wouldn't unbook them now they are in place. You will know before going on holiday if the day will be used as contingency and can make your Plan B accordingly (potentially your child travels home a day early).