Even the best are suffering.
The very diligent are burning themselves out.Many Y12 have more exams for
their first "half" of an A level than their friends in Y13 have to earn the
complete A level.
The less able ones are scared that they have failed and so are talking
thmselves into not only a self-fulfiling prophesy for the remaining exams
but also convincing themselves to either drop out next year or else drop
down to just 2 A levels. They will come back at the end of June to start
their A2 studies with no idea as to whether they are making the right
decisions or not.
It has been impossible to finish the course early enough to spend enough
time on revision, technique, trouble shooting and all the other things that
a normal round of mock exams allows at this time of year.
I despair!
What chances Estelle Morris will make a significant difference? .... we live
in hope.
In the meantime I am wondering if it is worth leaving one third of the AS
until the January Y13 sitting and therefore getting the pupils to have 3
fairly managable exam sessions rather than two very heavy ones. What do
others think?
Julie Parton
>From: GLENDA A KELLY <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: For teachers and lecturers interested in curriculum issues
> affecting the te <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: AS
>Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 00:51:58 +0100
>
>Frank,
>
>I too have noticed a marked difference in the demeanour of the year 12
>candidates, who are definitely more jumpy and less composed. This is not
>surprising as we have known for a long time that students mature
>considerably during their final year. Last minute revision has been a
>necessity since we have barely had time to complete the units in time for
>the exams.
>
>I am concerned that the exam load of Year 12 is far too heavy. AS
>examinations are now effectively 3 hours long and in my school it has not
>been uncommon for students to sit 4 and, in one case, 5 AS exams in one day
>(he did refuse the offer of overnight accommodation with a member of
>staff).
>
>My other major concern is that many Year 12 students are going to be "burnt
>out" at the end of this year and will not have the reserves for the push to
>A2 next year. I look forward to the results of Estelle Morris's review of
>Curriculum 2000 with bated breath!
>
>Glenda Miller
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Frank M. Powell" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 9:23 AM
>Subject: AS
>
>
> > Just wondering if I alone am finding pupils doing AS are doing much
> > more last minute revision than was the case with Year 13 A Level
> > candidates.
> >
> > I also get the impression they are a lot more jumpy and less composed
> > when they come in for exams.
> >
> > The days when the confident pupil could put down notes and relax at
> > least one if not two days before the exam seem to be gone.
> >
> > Frank
> > --
> > ________________________________________
> > From the Headmaster
> > Runnymede College
> > Calle Salvia 30
> > 28109 La Moraleja
> > Madrid
> > Spain
> >
> > http://www.runnymede-college.com
> >
> > phone: +34 91 650 8302
> > fax: +34 91 650 8236
> > ________________________________________
> >
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