COVID-19 has closed schools and cancelled exams. Students due to take public examinations are perhaps the most seriously affected. I interviewed two of my cousins: a year 11 student who was expecting to sit GCSE exams, and a year 12 student, who was expecting to sit AS level exams. Instead their ‘results’ will now be based on predicted grades, mock-exam results, quality of homework and classwork.
The GCSE student already has his predicted grades, which sixth form colleges are using as the basis for selection; my other cousin is still waiting for his.
Neither candidate wanted to be named in this article, so I have respected their wish for anonymity.
Year 11 Student
Q: How did you feel when you first heard about the new system of giving out grades?
A: I felt as if all of the work was for nothing and I still hadn’t performed to the best I could. I do think it’s fair, though, because of the number of factors it takes into account when determining your grade.
Q: Do you think your school could have better communicated what was happening in relation to your final grade?
A: My school communicated really well, they told us what was happening and why with swiftness. I’d argue they communicated the best in the borough based on what I hear from friends in other schools.
Q: Would you have preferred other ways of calculating grades?
A: I do wish we were given coursework that affected our grade.
Q: Hypothetically speaking, would you have preferred to do the exams?
A: Yes, it is what I was preparing for and looking forward to since the first day of year 11.
Q: How do you feel now your grades are out?
A: I am not sure how to feel, because although I got the results I wanted and got into my sixth form of choice, it doesn’t feel to me like I have properly earned my grades.
Year 12 Student
Q: How did you initially feel when you heard about the new system of giving out grades?
A: I feel as though this system was unfair to students who had strived to improve on their mock results and other things. The point of mocks is to improve on them, and to have your final grade based on work that many students have improved upon, is unfair.
Q: Do you think your school could have better communicated what was happening in relation to your final grade with students?
A: I feel like the school communicated to the best of its ability due to what I believe is government irresponsibility and the lack of information they are providing institutions with. So the school gave information when they were able to instead of false possibilities with little basis.
Q: Would you have preferred other ways of calculating grades?
A: I do not think the new system is a suitable way to measure grades because everything you are assessed on is based on past work and does not reflect current potential.
Q: Hypothetically speaking, would you have preferred to do the exams?
A: I would have preferred to sit the exams, so that I have full responsibility and accountability for what I achieve with no room for complaints
Q: Have you received any confirmation as to whether you will sit your AS exams at some point?
A: I have not, however I am hearing various rumors and possibilities
