13^th May 2020

Year 11 Summer Examinations

Dear Year 11 students,

I understand how unsettling the past few weeks and months have been for you, since the announcement that exams have been cancelled this summer.  Ofqual, the awarding body for examinations have released some further information about the results which I am able to share with you now.

How will grades be calculated?

Teachers have been asked to send to exam boards, the following information, based on what they know about your work and achievements so far:

• The grade they believe you were most likely to achieve if teaching, learning and exams had taken place as planned.
• Within each subject, the order of students within school, by performance for each grade. This information will be used to standardise judgements.

Teachers will consider your classwork, homework, results in assignments and mock exams, non-exam coursework completed and your general progress during your course.  This information will allow us, with the exam boards, to standardise grades across all schools and colleges, to make sure that results are fair and that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged because their schools are more generous or harsh than others, when making those judgements.  That means that the final grade you are given, may be different from the one that the school submits to the exam board.

Do I need to complete any new work to submit a grade?

We are not required to set any additional mock exams or homework for your grade, since the schools closed at the end of March.

Can I see the grades that school submits?

No, this information will be confidential.  Please don’t ask teachers, or anyone else in school to tell you the grades they will be sending to the exam boards or where you have been placed in the order of students; they will not be allowed to share this with you.

When will I get my results?

Ofqual have said that they are working hard to get results out as soon as possible.  Results won’t be delayed after the planned date of the 20^th August but they are working to issue the results a little earlier, to provide you with some certainty over your next steps.

Can I take my exams another time?

Ofqual are working with exam boards to offer additional exams in the autumn term as soon as it is possible to do so and as soon as there is any further information on this, we will send it to you.  This is for any students who would like the chance to sit some of their exams and in this case, the highest grade achieved will be awarded.

For more detailed guidance on this, please visit https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/883150/Summer_2020_grades_for_GCSE_AS_A_level_guidance_for_teachers_students_parents_UPDATED_05MAY2020_FINAL.pdf

Please be reassured that the grades you achieve this summer, will look exactly the same as in previous years, and they will have equal status with universities, colleges and employers, to help you move forwards to the next steps of your education.

Further advice on careers and how to apply for schools, college or apprenticeships, can be found on Google Classroom by looking at the careers classroom.  In the meantime, please do contact Mrs Thomas at rthomas@blaconhigh.cheshire.sch.uk for any further advice or help.

As I said to you all on the last Friday you were in school, when the school has re-opened and we have a clear idea of what life will be like post Covid-19, we will invite you in for your Awards and Recognition evening and will also find a date for your prom, to mark the end of your time at Blacon High School in the style you deserve.

I hope that you and your families are well.  Stay safe and I look forward to meeting you all again.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or need any help at all, please do contact us at school.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Rachel Hudson

Headteacher