So worried about shite results

[whyiinstigate]

I'm actually having nightmares, and it's only April.

Anyone else?

No but I totally sympathise. This time last year I was a nervous wreck. My department’s mock results were horrific and one teacher was predicting an average grade of 2 for a bright mixed ability class. I’m no longer HOD so whilst I have the normal nervousness about my own classes I’m not laying awake at night in terror like last year. It also helps that the results last year were nothing like what was predicted. The departmental value added was really good and I think that’s helped me to relax this time around.
What’s your school like? Are they reasonable about results?

Me too. Even though every single child has improved there's no way i'll meet my target. Because it's insane! Every year I have to remind myself of what "average attainment" and bell curve actually are just so I can see my class for what they are. A normal bunch of kids expected to be normal or above.

No. Being in FE, I am used to results being well below average. However, in previous years it has been as low as 18%.

I am by no means confident about my results this year but I think in the end, the learners deserve the grade they work for. If SLT want to challenge me about my results, then I am ready.

I was pleased last year with the new GCSEs, but am worried about this year’s cohort. They are less worried than me.

Another one who is worried. Our results weren't great last year but were ok. This year's aren't looking good, a have SLT breathing down our necks about it and we are working flat out. Unfortunately, many of the kids aren't working hard and parental support is lacking.

I'm not HoD but hold a TLR and I am really feeling the strain this year

No, but only because it is pointless. I suspect results will be fairly shite. I am a HoD and have put all the intervention, revision etc that I can in place. My colleagues and I are damn good teachers. And so I now feel no more responsibility for my Y11s and Y13s results. Short of taking the bloody exam for them I can't do any more. They are utterly idle and want spoon feeding on the whole and we have worked our ruddy socks off for two years.

I shall point this out to SLT when/if I get criticisms.