If there's a real desire to address the workload of leaders then one area would be to put
GCSE/ Post 16 results in the same week &/or into term time. Every summer they rip out 2 weeks of the break - perhaps not in school but in terms of headspace.
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Absolutely this this this Sam. Wise as ever. I brave the disapproval of others who want SLT meetings on results days by booking my hols during these weeks.
Having the exam results in the same week would make a massive difference. I think there would be a majority of schools in favour. It’s the exam boards that don’t want it.
It is a huge impact, and certainly a significant one on leadership teams.
I worry that trying to do both at once would cause either far more stress for the individuals (it's likely to be the same people, mostly) or too many things falling through gaps. With UCAS/HE at least it's mostly external.
I know for me - when I was UCAS advisor and HoD - it marked the end of my holidays for sure. I was back in work, supporting clearing and choices, and then beginning results analysis and outcomes etc. for a start of term conversation with my team.
They did results in the same week with TAGs in 2021 and I remember there being a discussion about making the change generally but it was decided against. I think mostly exam board pushback but also concern from those supporting A levels students through clearing that GCSEs as well was too much.
Good idea 👏🏻 do we do it even the right way round? Should GCSEs be first and then A Levels? Easier to support students through clearing etc if you’ve already tended to your GCSE ones?
I was wondering how that impacted, and reflecting that I wouldn’t like it. Not just for the disruption to the rhythm of our annual leave, but also because it forces holidays to be booked in specific weeks, reducing flexibility and choice.
First summer for @kevbartle.bsky.social without those worries/ emails/ data crunching/ stress. It has made such a HUGE difference to our holiday! There must be a way to
minimise the disruption for HTs/ leaders and teachers.
100% this. Support for students is also inconsistent across schools, eg. Careers advisors, remark advice, guidance for parents. All depends on who is in and for how long - it's unfair that this depends on discretionary effort of staff who already give so much. Results in July = full support network.
I'm sceptical about the transition to online exams but this could be one area where we can speed up the marking/admin process and gets results earlier, at least for A-Levels.
Hmm. I share your concerns about online exams. But yes, if results could be shared either at the start or right at the end of the holidays, it would help. Though the tremendous work that happens after results come in would still need to happen.
This is the first year in 18 that I haven't had A-level results and the first ever as a head after the last 7 as head at previous school. I hadn't appreciated that the additional week could have such a positive impact.
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I worry that trying to do both at once would cause either far more stress for the individuals (it's likely to be the same people, mostly) or too many things falling through gaps. With UCAS/HE at least it's mostly external.
I'm sure there are better ways of leading it!
minimise the disruption for HTs/ leaders and teachers.