Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: STEMO on 16 March 2017, 17:18:34
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....almost every single day. My son brought his A level timetable home today. There are approx six exam boards in England (WHY?) and, apparently, they don't communicate with each other.
Here is the timetable:
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n156/stmo987/IMG_0429.jpg)
On the day where two clash, he will have to sit one after the other. On the day where three clash they have given him two alternatives. One is unacceptable, the other is just plain fickin cloud cuckoo land.
1) Do all three in a day, 2x2.5 hr exams and 1x1.5 hr exam. He's bound to do well in those...not.
2) Do two exams on that day (Friday). Then get taken away and put in isolation. Stay at an invigilators home on Friday night (no phoning us or any communication with anyone at all. Take your own food and stay in your room. No phone or iPad) Then take the exam Saturday morning.
Now, I'm sorry, but the lad is 17 and has Aspergers. He is not being imprisoned in a strange mans house overnight, not that I'm the distrustful type, you understand.
FU KIN ELL. Stupid, useless winkers. >:(
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Bring it to a wider public, STEMO; your MP. local newspaper - Minister for Education? >:(
Ron.
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Bring it to a wider public, STEMO; your MP. local newspaper - Minister for Education? >:(
Ron.
Ron.....I don't know how long you have been away from education, but this is far from unusual. Remember, I have a wife who is a headteacher as well as a student son, and the whole system is under pressure from two corners. 1) No money 2) knobheads who go into the job for the wrong reason and don't give a shit or are incompetent.
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Oh...and 3) people in LA's/government who are also incompetent due to having no background in education.
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Retired 10 years now, but nothing much changes! I was in the non-compulsory sector as a Lecturer at a Further Education College, but we never seemed to run short of managerial dickheads, whatever else we lacked! Mostly, my colleagues were dedicatedm and caring, but we were, as ever, under-resourced and forever being interfered with by management and governmental "new thinking" on how to do our jobs better. Sound familiar to you? ::)
Ron.
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Clashes have happened since examination boards started. When I was at school there was even a clash between subjects on the same board!!
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Clashes have happened since examination boards started. When I was at school there was even a clash between subjects on the same board!!
I guess so but, if we didn't have so many boards, it wouldn't be as bad. I suppose my rant about the clashes was heightened by the resolution they proposed. Sheesh.......
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The third alternative : take his results from the Mocks (I assume they still have them?) and award him the same result.
My nephew is Aspergers, and was home schooled from 11 to 15, after the school washed their hands of their statutory duties of care, and then he went to the local sixth form college where he passed 6 GCSE's in one year and then studied 2 A levels and passed in the next year and another 2 and passed (4 A*'s) I guess that took pressure off from an exam point of view.
He's now at Liverpool university during something sciency to do with DNA, but obviously living at home.
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Steve,
Re: Option 2
I carnt believe they even suggested that option! >:(
I would point out to them, that as your wife is a head teacher, if she carnt be trusted to ensure your lad doesn't use the internet or phone his friends overnight (ie try to cheat, not saying he would tho) who can be trusted to look after youngsters!
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Steve,
Re: Option 2
I carnt believe they even suggested that option! >:(
I would point out to them, that as your wife is a head teacher, if she carnt be trusted to ensure your lad doesn't use the internet or phone his friends overnight (ie try to cheat, not saying he would tho) who can be trusted to look after youngsters!
I still cannot believe they suggested this, Dave. It's a good job he doesn't get home until about an hour after the college closes, because I think I'd probably be regretting making that phone call now.
The other thing is, he doesn't want me making a fuss and, despite me knowing what a bunch of idiots they are, I have to respect his wishes. He will end up sitting them all in one day, I hope he copes.
Over the past two years I have virtually ignored every communication from them, for the sake of him. But when leaves........
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Never had Exams when I was at school. Well, if they did, no one told me about them, if they did I might have actually gone to school that day. ::)
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STEMO, if he is anything like my son (also has Aspergers) then he will be very ill at ease in unfamiliar surroundings and people, as demanded by Option 2.
This scenario is totally unacceptable and flies in the face of the purpose of assessments; they are to test ability and recall, etc., and not part of a Triathlon/Endurance Test! ::)
Ron.
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Steve,
Re: Option 2
I carnt believe they even suggested that option! >:(
I would point out to them, that as your wife is a head teacher, if she carnt be trusted to ensure your lad doesn't use the internet or phone his friends overnight (ie try to cheat, not saying he would tho) who can be trusted to look after youngsters!
I still cannot believe they suggested this, Dave. It's a good job he doesn't get home until about an hour after the college closes, because I think I'd probably be regretting making that phone call now.
The other thing is, he doesn't want me making a fuss and, despite me knowing what a bunch of idiots they are, I have to respect his wishes. He will end up sitting them all in one day, I hope he copes.
Over the past two years I have virtually ignored every communication from them, for the sake of him. But when leaves........
So do I :)
But that's 7.5 hours of concentrating in a about 8hr day..without a lunch break or coffee/tea/piss breaks...I don't think anyone could do that....I would kick up a fuss...
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Steve,
Re: Option 2
I carnt believe they even suggested that option! >:(
I would point out to them, that as your wife is a head teacher, if she carnt be trusted to ensure your lad doesn't use the internet or phone his friends overnight (ie try to cheat, not saying he would tho) who can be trusted to look after youngsters!
I still cannot believe they suggested this, Dave. It's a good job he doesn't get home until about an hour after the college closes, because I think I'd probably be regretting making that phone call now.
The other thing is, he doesn't want me making a fuss and, despite me knowing what a bunch of idiots they are, I have to respect his wishes. He will end up sitting them all in one day, I hope he copes.
Over the past two years I have virtually ignored every communication from them, for the sake of him. But when leaves........
So do I :)
But that's 7.5 hours of concentrating in a about 8hr day..without a lunch break or coffee/tea/piss breaks...I don't think anyone could do that....I would kick up a fuss...
One beacon of light in all of this is the examinations officer. She has said that, if he decides to sit all three in one day, she will stay late with him so he can have a decent break between each one.
And breathe....... ;D
I have used my coping strategy, it stops my head exploding. There are folk a lot worse off than us, we will manage. Some wouldn't.
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And, as if to vindicate my views, Penistone grammar has just come on the local news. There are spending £1000 a day more than they get, and will have a large deficit at the end of the school year.
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I'm assuming by his age these are A Level exams?
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I'm assuming by his age these are A Level exams?
First sentence. Has baby been stopping you from sleeping? ;D
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Ignore that, just read the timetable again!! ::)
I did at least 8 hours of exams in one day on more than one occasion during mine and I'm certain one day I did 9 hours. I understand his condition (brother has it) but it's good preparation for adult life. Hopefully it won't impact too much on his results.
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Never had Exams when I was at school. Well, if they did, no one told me about them, if they did I might have actually gone to school that day. ::)
They had exams at my school and even told me what day they were having them, so I made sure I was elsewhere drinking cider that day. ;D
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I'm assuming by his age these are A Level exams?
First sentence. Has baby been stopping you from sleeping? ;D
Yes ::)
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Ignore that, just read the timetable again!! ::)
I did at lease 8 hours of exams in one day on more than one occasion during mine and I'm certain one day I did 9 hours. I understand his condition (brother has it) but it's good preparation for adult life. Hopefully it won't impact too much on his results.
It's not right, Paul, exams are stressful enough without bringing exhaustion into the equation. Of course, I have no inkling of how things work now. I sat my O levels in 1969 and went straight into an apprenticeship with GPO telephones at 16.
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Ignore that, just read the timetable again!! ::)
I did at lease 8 hours of exams in one day on more than one occasion during mine and I'm certain one day I did 9 hours. I understand his condition (brother has it) but it's good preparation for adult life. Hopefully it won't impact too much on his results.
It's not right, Paul, exams are stressful enough without bringing exhaustion into the equation. Of course, I have no inkling of how things work now. I sat my O levels in 1969 and went straight into an apprenticeship with GPO telephones at 16.
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'Fookin ell' you really are an old bastard. I didn't take my eleven plus until 1971.
Naturally I passed. 8) 8) 8).
Grammar schools. Now there is something that divides the teaching profession. :)
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Why do Grammar schools generate such disapprobation? They are there to differentiate academic from vocational students, without being in any way pejorative. In football (ugh!), there are things called league tables, apparently, and people welcome them - surely that is even worse, because where you are on those tables affects your income and life chances.
A good qualification whether vocational or academic, is equally valuable and appropriate to the needs and skills of the student.
Ron.
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Someone tell Opti that I went to The Liverpool Institute High School for boys, and it's because of that, that I'm such a well-rounded individual. Grammar schools have their place. Instead of knocking aspiration, we should avoid a race to the bottom.
That's for those naughty boys at Eton. ;D
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Why do Grammar schools generate such disapprobation? They are there to differentiate academic from vocational students, without being in any way pejorative. In football (ugh!), there are things called league tables, apparently, and people welcome them - surely that is even worse, because where you are on those tables affects your income and life chances.
A good qualification whether vocational or academic, is equally valuable and appropriate to the needs and skills of the student.
Because the current enthusiasm for them doesn't include the other parts of the system, like vocational schools. Those were either killed off years ago, or encouraged to become grammar schools. That's what happened to mine; at the end of my first year(in 1982) we left Chatham Technical High School(intended to provide potential dockyard apprentices with the appropriate maths/english/basic hand skills) and returned to Chatham Grammar School for Boys(there was already one for girls)
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I'm surprised that some/many on the left of politics are anti grammar school. Grammar schools are part of state education and free to all who show a certain aptitude. Many poor kids when to grammar school and it was the making of them. What is not socialist about this?
Public schools like Eton and Harrow are a different matter. You don't need to be particularly bright but you will need wealthy parents and a jumbo sized jar of lubricant.
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I'm surprised that some/many on the left of politics are anti grammar school. Grammar schools are part of state education and free to all who show a certain aptitude. Many poor kids when to grammar school and it was the making of them. What is not socialist about this?
Public schools like Eton and Harrow are a different matter. You don't need to be particularly bright but you will need wealthy parents and a jumbo sized jar of lubricant.
Both my kids are good examples of this. :y
I will support Grammar schools until my last breath.
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Well...I am glad I got through life, brought up two kids, who are both in top jobs, been married 48 years, own my house (mortgage paid up), and apart from the 11 plus, I have never sat any other exams, apart from in class term exams. And I was 14 when I left school. No college, no university either. ;) :y
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Well...I am glad I got through life, brought up two kids, who are both in top jobs, been married 48 years, own my house (mortgage paid up), and apart from the 11 plus, I have never sat any other exams, apart from in class term exams. And I was 14 when I left school. No college, no university either. ;) :y
When we were at school, we weren't pushed that hard. As long as we weren't disruptive, we could basically sit twiddling a pencil all day (secondary school, that is). Mainly because it was known that we would find our level in society. Unemployment was not a real problem, so there was kind of three tiers. The creme de la creme (and, in those days, it really was only the best) went to sixth form and uni. The middle tier(me), did well at GCE's and went into apprenticeships or the likes. Those that didn't do so well went on to be manual labourers, factory workers, binmen etc.
It worked because there were jobs, more or less, for all, and that is the big difference today.
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Well...I am glad I got through life, brought up two kids, who are both in top jobs, been married 48 years, own my house (mortgage paid up), and apart from the 11 plus, I have never sat any other exams, apart from in class term exams. And I was 14 when I left school. No college, no university either. ;) :y
When we were at school, we weren't pushed that hard. As long as we weren't disruptive, we could basically sit twiddling a pencil all day (secondary school, that is). Mainly because it was known that we would find our level in society. Unemployment was not a real problem, so there was kind of three tiers. The creme de la creme (and, in those days, it really was only the best) went to sixth form and uni. The middle tier(me), did well at GCE's and went into apprenticeships or the likes. Those that didn't do so well went on to be manual labourers, factory workers, binmen etc.
It worked because there were jobs, more or less, for all, and that is the big difference today.
Expectations.
A friend of mine went to the local comprehensive. Apparently when the 'careers officer' came to the school he spoke only of unskilled work or learning a trade. Expectations were not high.
At grammar school the career's officer used the words 'career and profession' Expectations were higher.
I imagine at Eton they speak of becoming Prime Minister. Expectations were higher again.
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Well...I am glad I got through life, brought up two kids, who are both in top jobs, been married 48 years, own my house (mortgage paid up), and apart from the 11 plus, I have never sat any other exams, apart from in class term exams. And I was 14 when I left school. No college, no university either. ;) :y
When we were at school, we weren't pushed that hard. As long as we weren't disruptive, we could basically sit twiddling a pencil all day (secondary school, that is). Mainly because it was known that we would find our level in society. Unemployment was not a real problem, so there was kind of three tiers. The creme de la creme (and, in those days, it really was only the best) went to sixth form and uni. The middle tier(me), did well at GCE's and went into apprenticeships or the likes. Those that didn't do so well went on to be manual labourers, factory workers, binmen etc.
It worked because there were jobs, more or less, for all, and that is the big difference today.
Expectations.
A friend of mine went to the local comprehensive. Apparently when the 'careers officer' came to the school he spoke only of unskilled work or learning a trade. Expectations were not high.
At grammar school the career's officer used the words 'career and profession' Expectations were higher.
I imagine at Eton they speak of becoming Prime Minister. Expectations were higher again.
I went to a Comp in a white middle class dormitory town north of liverpool. I say white because about 0.5% were Chinese or Middle Eastern and that was it.
The head obviously wished he was running a grammar school and this meant the top 3 classes got the best teachers, but the bottom 5 classes were progressively worse.
If you didn't go to University you were assumed to have failed.
I went to a Polytechnic and so "under achieved"
Strange that the bloke who did our loft conversion was one of the failures who left with hardly any qualifications, became a joiner, started his own business and is much more well off than I.
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Well...I am glad I got through life, brought up two kids, who are both in top jobs, been married 48 years, own my house (mortgage paid up), and apart from the 11 plus, I have never sat any other exams, apart from in class term exams. And I was 14 when I left school. No college, no university either. ;) :y
When we were at school, we weren't pushed that hard. As long as we weren't disruptive, we could basically sit twiddling a pencil all day (secondary school, that is). Mainly because it was known that we would find our level in society. Unemployment was not a real problem, so there was kind of three tiers. The creme de la creme (and, in those days, it really was only the best) went to sixth form and uni. The middle tier(me), did well at GCE's and went into apprenticeships or the likes. Those that didn't do so well went on to be manual labourers, factory workers, binmen etc.
It worked because there were jobs, more or less, for all, and that is the big difference today.
Expectations.
A friend of mine went to the local comprehensive. Apparently when the 'careers officer' came to the school he spoke only of unskilled work or learning a trade. Expectations were not high.
At grammar school the career's officer used the words 'career and profession' Expectations were higher.
I imagine at Eton they speak of becoming Prime Minister. Expectations were higher again.
I went to a Comp in a white middle class dormitory town north of liverpool. I say white because about 0.5% were Chinese or Middle Eastern and that was it.
The head obviously wished he was running a grammar school and this meant the top 3 classes got the best teachers, but the bottom 5 classes were progressively worse.
If you didn't go to University you were assumed to have failed.
I went to a Polytechnic and so "under achieved"
Strange that the bloke who did our loft conversion was one of the failures who left with hardly any qualifications, became a joiner, started his own business and is much more well off than I.
What part of Merseyside are you from?
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Nothing new then. >:( >:( >:( where I wanted to take political history along with economic history as a ninth 'o' level, but the exams clashed, so I didn't do the extra lessons only to be told at exam application time, they didn't clash. >:( >:( >:(