A level coursework - mitigating circumstances

[Thisaintnoparty]

I'm wondering about what to do about this situation. My DD goes to a school with two sites. Due to a teacher leaving she had to go to site 2 for year 13 of computer science and on that site they teach a different curriculum. That meant that they had to do a coursework module that should have been done in two years in one year. She has autism, anxiety and an EHCP.

We found out three weeks ago that 70% of the coursework hasn't been done and it is due in in two weeks. She's not the only child in that situation as far as we can tell. No way will she get it finished in that time and she is beside herself with anxiety about this, getting terrible headaches, and so on.

Is there a case for mitigating circumstances here? Is there anything else at all that can be done?

What have the school said? Surely they are who you should be talking to about this?

Of course, we have had lots of back and forth. I have raised it and they haven't responded yet. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into how realistic it is.

No, unfortunately lack of teacher, or quality of teaching, is not grounds for special consideration. The A Level computer science NEA is something the students should have been working on themselves and they should have known the deadline for handing it in.

My DD’s friend’s dad died suddenly and unexpectedly in the January before their A level exams. The exam board wouldn’t give him any allowance for mitigating circumstances because the death had occurred more than 3 months before his exams. So wouldn’t hold out much hope. He took a year out and re-sat.

Thanks all, appreciate it. @Elektra1really tough on your dds friend, I hope all worked out in the end.

Unfortunately staffing difficulties with computer science are widespread, however, coursework should be completed by the student... The most useful thing you can do is post in staffroom on here and ask if there is a CS teacher who can go through the coursework requirements with you and then set your DD some mini deadlines yourself to complete the basics of each section in time.

There will be marking criteria. She'll be able to hit some of those in each section if you and she know what they are.

You will almost certainly find a helpful teacher on YouTube going through the criteria if you look.

Have a good look though DD's Teams or whatever the school use with her plus any paper files or folders. There's probably a booklet somewhere with guidance and criteria.

Just as a general public service announcement, if your child signs up for a course that's mostly coursework (especially if they have SEN) keep.a close eye on what they're producing. Make them show you stuff every week! Even if you don't fully understand it, check something is being produced.

E.g. Week 1 Task 1 'Research [databases or whatever]' ok DD let's look at what you've written. Which sites did you use? Let's make a folder and put it in there and label it Task 1.