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Original poster

GCSE school closed.

20 replies

Devlesko · 15/03/2020 14:50

Hi, just waiting to hear further from school, but they have closed today.
What happens about GCSE exams or coursework due in when school is closed?
I mean if other schools are able to meet the deadline but yours isn't.
Mine has GCSE Art coursework and exam plus English speaking on 23/24th march.
Can't get in to school to use the printing press or access coursework?
Asking here as i need to hear from the horse's mouth.
tia.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 15/03/2020 14:54

No one knows. Sorry.

Louise91417 · 15/03/2020 14:56

As far as i can make out if school is closed for gsces exams will be graded on work throughout year (have dd due to sit gcses)..dd school have advised in event of closure teaching will take place via email or like. Hard to get anything concrete but assume LEA will have back up plan..

iVampire · 15/03/2020 14:58

Most NEAs will be complete before Easter, so I think there might be an argument for keeping Y11 and Y13 pupils doing subjects with coursework in school (even if they close for others) just to get them done.

What happens to the actual exams is anyone’s guess

tootiredtoconga · 15/03/2020 14:58

Have they said how long they intend to close for? Some schools near us have literally closed for a day to deep-clean then reopened.

noblegiraffe · 15/03/2020 15:04

As far as i can make out if school is closed for gsces exams will be graded on work throughout year

Schools have not been advised anything like this and have not been collecting grades in a manner that would make this reasonable.

noblegiraffe · 15/03/2020 15:06

Given that Arlene Foster said 16 weeks for NI schools and the same time period advice coming out for the over 70s here, I’d expect lengthy closures.

Everydaylife · 15/03/2020 15:09

If a school closes, I wouldn’t have thought staff would be allowed in to collect grades or work if it exists anyway.

CuckooCuckooClock · 15/03/2020 15:12

I image they will postpone exams. The knock on effects of messing up the academic year are vast though

Womenwotlunch · 15/03/2020 15:15

Wasn’t it suggested that exams would take place in August.
I have two dcs taking exams this year.

noblegiraffe · 15/03/2020 15:15

Given that the peak is going to be around exam time, I think that’s why there hasn’t been any news.

They probably won’t happen, but they don’t know what will happen, so just aren’t mentioning it.

lamppostdog · 15/03/2020 15:27

You can't give grades on work done throughout the year, it hasn't been standardised and grade boundaries are not set until after the exams.

Everydaylife · 15/03/2020 15:30

How would schools be able to hold exams during the summer holidays with all the related admin, invigilation, staffing, site management etc? It’s a minefield. I can’t see it happening this academic year.

Original poster
Devlesko · 15/03/2020 15:56

I understand that GCSE's may be postponed or any other measures to gain results.
But my question was if one school couldn't meet the deadline/ sit the exams, but all the others could?
I just wondered if there was a set response for this.
I thought maybe each exam board would differ and have checked, but didn't find anything.
Very interesting times, as well as the obviously scary.
It's deep cleaning, but I don't hold my breath as not a state school, so it's case by case, I believe.

OP posts:
Original poster
Devlesko · 15/03/2020 15:58

Thank you so much for the replies, I think you are all doing an amazing job anyway, but with all the rest to contend with, I salute you.
God bless Thanks

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 15/03/2020 15:59

If one school is closed and others are open, then arrangements are made for pupils to sit exams at another centre.

Things like English speaking - I imagine they’d be flexible about dates.

LIZS · 15/03/2020 16:06

I didn't think English speaking was a scored component in most English language gcses. They could more easily extend deadline for coursework or open facilities under controlled conditions or use another centre.

likeafishneedsabike · 15/03/2020 20:15

English speaking isn’t part of the grade awarded so no need to worry about that. I’m sorry that I can’t DJed any light on the Art and am not sure that anyone can, in truth.

likeafishneedsabike · 15/03/2020 20:16

DJed? Shed. My DJ days are well and truly over.

JoeySpecial · 15/03/2020 20:24

Special consideration perhaps? Sympathetic marking.

Applying to the Exam board.

Original poster
Devlesko · 15/03/2020 22:26

I'm a ninny I hadn't thought of half of these.
English speaking was a well needed confidence boost for a struggler, clear distinction. now says isn't happening but haven't had the official reason yet, dd/school.

Art coursework is safely home and emails from the art dept and other teachers. On a Sunday, wow. Grin
I feel much easier about it all now and watched her convert spare room into a study, it's really good. Not sure what will happen whether better at home or school, tbh.
Thanks again for the reassurance Thanks
Good luck for whatever is coming.

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