Coronavirus: Portsmouth A-level student speaks out about disappointment over exam cancellations

A PORTSMOUTH student has welcomed the government's decision on how to award grades for cancelled exams amid the coronavirus outbreak, despite losing out on ‘showing their mettle’.
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Sixth Form pupil Elliot Chubb, from Southsea, had been revising up to four hours every night for his upcoming A-level exams in French, politics and business which were due to take place in May and June.

However, the 18-year-old has been left at a loss, along with every other exam age student in the country, after the exams were scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Southsea student Elliot Chubb, 18, whose A-Levels have been cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemicSouthsea student Elliot Chubb, 18, whose A-Levels have been cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic
Southsea student Elliot Chubb, 18, whose A-Levels have been cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic
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Elliot, who attends St John's College in Southsea, said: 'I had just got into a good work ethic of revising every night, I could smell the gold. And then suddenly it was taken away.

'It was annoying at first but we're not annoyed at anyone. It's a situation out of everyone’s hands.

'The exams were a chance to prove ourselves, to show our mettle and that's been taken away.'

Instead of final year exams, results will be awarded to pupils using a combination of previous grades (either Sats or GCSEs), mock grades, predicted grades, coursework and teacher assessment.

National Education Union president, Amanda Martin, is confident pupils will get the grades they deserve. Picture: Russell Sach PhotographyNational Education Union president, Amanda Martin, is confident pupils will get the grades they deserve. Picture: Russell Sach Photography
National Education Union president, Amanda Martin, is confident pupils will get the grades they deserve. Picture: Russell Sach Photography
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Elliot was aiming for at least three B grades to get into his favoured university in Lancaster to study French and politics.

But in his mocks earlier this year he fell short with three Cs and had been working to improve these. His predicted grades were ABB.

He said: 'I definitely think it is better to use a combination rather than just mocks or just predicted grades because they can vary from time to time.

'Some people might not have thought they needed to revise for their mocks. You do get incredibly clever people who under-perform in their mocks. I know from my revision that I was improving on my previous grades ready for the real thing.'

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Education leaders in the city sympathised with the disappointment felt by students.

Portsmouth teacher and president of the National Education Union, Amanda Martin, said: 'It is a huge upset for them. They picked their subjects years ago and have been working really hard.

'But it's not just about the exams, it's the abrupt ending to their school year. I believe teachers won't let them down. They know what level they are working at and they understand the upset. Schools and colleges will want to see them pass as much as they do.'

The council's education boss, Councillor Suzy Horton, agreed. 'Doing your end of school exams is a rite of passage, it's something no matter how old or young you can have that common experience,' she said.

'So that in itself is a loss.

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'But I am optimistic that the agreements about suitable grades is going to work in their favour. A hard working person will see their work pay off.'

Elliot is currently continuing to study with online lessons provided by St John's.

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