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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/DarthKiwiChris on 2025-03-17 22:47:04+00:00.
Many years ago & in a school and country far far away...(as all stories must begin)
The exam board we were using changed testing procedures, (BTEC Edexcel), & students now had to sit and pass an exam unit. They had 2 attempts, if they failed, they failed the course.
Having seen this in the specification, I pitched that our school needed to teach that unit in first semester. Then students could sit the exam twice in their first year. If they failed, we could switch them to a new course and, crucially, they could still get their qualification and go to university.
I was flat out over ruled by admin. I tried to talk through timeliness, consequences. Finally I was told, this is what's happening doing it my way. We noted it in department meeting notes and carried on planning.
So, against my advice we ran the exam unit in year 1, semester 2. Three students failed. So they carried onto year 2 and semester 1. At the end of the year 2 semester 1, they resit and when results arrive in March 2 students pass.
And the third didn't. They had failed the course and couldn't continue, they didn't have enough A levels for uni and year 2, semester 2.. they can't pick up another one.
The admin literally ran into our department meeting, "what can we do?"
Me: nothing
Them: how did this happen ?
Me: I told you last year this could happen and the impact.
Them: what are we going to do? It's not good enough?
Me: I agree, it's not. But you decided it and its your problem not ours. There's nothing we can do.
The admin left and the poor kid had to finish school with only 2/3s of their qualifications.
Edit: just as a NTA moment, there was literally nothing I could do to put in a safety net. Said admin controlled 6th form admissions and courses. The poor kid was heartbroken and I think the admin managed to get them into a 3rd year elsewhere.