Our kids refused time off school during term time - please advice

Madmel

notanewuser wrote: »

3x more pupils achieve an A* now than when I did my GCSEs (1994). Think that's because kids are brainier?

No, it's because teaching standards have improved and as has been stated previously on this thread, teachers are much more clued up on teaching to the syllabus.

When I was at school in the 70s and 80s, we never saw the syllabus or had access to past papers, mark schemes or examiners' reports. Few of my teachers explained how to achieve the extra marks between B and A grades (I pre-date A*). We attended DD2's Parents' Evening on Thursday. Without exception, every teacher explained her current attainment, her target grade and what she needed to do to achieve her target. DD regularly goes on the relevant exam board websites to look at model answers.

I also teach in her school although I do not teach her. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and in that time, even though the GCSE and A level has changed more than once, we adapt and refine our teaching so that our students have the best possible chance of achieving their targets.

Our school is pretty good at distinguishing between holidays and visits which are educational which happen to fall during school time. Kids doing public exams are generally not allowed to miss any school, but there is a bit of leniency lower down the school, although in my subject where there is a lot of group practical work, it is very difficult to set worksheets to be completed whilst the child is absent. As a final point, we are not allowed to go on holiday during term time, so take the hit on holiday prices or go in half term breaks instead.

notanewuser

Madmel wrote: »

No, it's because teaching standards have improved and as has been stated previously on this thread, teachers are much more clued up on teaching to the syllabus.

In other words they learn to pass the exam rather than understand key concepts. Kids are leaving school with Cs in maths and english illiterate and innumerate. Of course the teaching is better. :rotfl:

ViolaLass

notanewuser wrote: »

In other words they learn to pass the exam rather than understand key concepts. Kids are leaving school with Cs in maths and english illiterate and innumerate. Of course the teaching is better. :rotfl:

Teachers are judged by how many of their students get a C or higher. Can you blame them for focusing on and getting better at getting students a C or higher?

notanewuser

ViolaLass wrote: »

Teachers are judged by how many of their students get a C or higher. Can you blame them for focusing on and getting better at getting students a C or higher?

Can't blame them individually, no. The whole system is f*ckd.

Mojisola

ViolaLass wrote: »

Teachers are judged by how many of their students get a C or higher. Can you blame them for focusing on and getting better at getting students a C or higher?

Exactly. The teachers have been given the job of getting students through the exams and they've got a lot better at doing just that.

GwylimT

notanewuser wrote: »

Can't blame them individually, no. The whole system is f*ckd.

It will be even worse now with performance related pay!

fizz

Just asked my dd how many teachers in her year can control the class (2) and how many can engage the class (3) - that is out of 15.

She has her mocks next week and they are still playing catch-up.

Just a thought:rotfl:


fizz

fierystormcloud

fizz wrote: »

Just asked my dd how many teachers in her year can control the class (2) and how many can engage the class (3) - that is out of 15.

She has her mocks next week and they are still playing catch-up.

Just a thought:rotfl:


fizz

ViolaLass wrote: »

Teachers are judged by how many of their students get a C or higher. Can you blame them for focusing on and getting better at getting students a C or higher?

notanewuser wrote: »

In other words they learn to pass the exam rather than understand key concepts. Kids are leaving school with Cs in maths and english illiterate and innumerate. Of course the teaching is better. :rotfl:

Yep of COURSE when kids fail dismally - it is ALL about the parents keeping them off for a week during term time. Nothing WHATSOEVER to do with the fact that some teachers (and schools) are substandard! :cool:

Pennywise

Madmel wrote: »

When I was at school in the 70s and 80s, we never saw the syllabus or had access to past papers, mark schemes or examiners' reports.

Perhaps it was just your school. I was at school around that time and I remember many teachers would hand out the syllabus at the start of the year. We definitely worked through plenty of past papers and teachers would sometimes read out examiners' reports if they were particularly insightful.

fierystormcloud

Careful you don't give opinions that the 'clique' don't like. You get called stupid, and ranty, and accused of throwing your toys out of the pram. :rotfl: