03 April 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

Awarding of grades for GCSE, AS Level, A Level and EPQ Qualifications 2020.

Today we have received the first instructions to schools regarding the awarding of grades for this summer’s GCSE and A Level candidates who are not able to sit examinations. A link to the full guidance is here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877842/Summer_2020_grades_for_GCSE_AS_A_level_EPQ_AEA_in_maths_-_guidance_for_teachers_students_parents.pdf

And there is a letter to students here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877830/Letter_to_students_-_Summer_2020_grading.pdf

The key points to note from the guidance which I would like to highlight are:

This guidance is for GCSE, AS Level, A Level and Extended Project qualifications only, guidance on BTec and other technical and vocational course will follow.

“Schools are asked to provide an assessment grade for every student in each of their subjects: that is, the grade they would be most likely to have achieved if they had sat their exams and completed any non-exam assessment. Judgements should balance different sources of evidence such as:

• classwork
• bookwork
• any participation in performances in subjects such as music, drama or PE
• any non-exam assessment – whether or not complete
• the results of any assignments or mock exams
• previous examination results – for example, for any re-sitting students or those with relevant AS qualifications
• any other records of student performance over the course of study”

In other words, schools should not use only one source of evidence such as a mock examination to provide a grade.

“It is important schools and colleges do not share provisional grades, nor rank orders, with students or parents and carers before final results have been issued. This is to protect the integrity of the teachers’ judgements, and to avoid teachers, Heads of Department or Heads of Centre feeling under pressure to submit a grade that is not supported by the evidence.”

So please do respect this advice and not ask any teachers for information about the grade being given for your child or how it has been arrived at.

I would like to reassure you that we will follow the guidance provided throughout this process to do our best to ensure that your child is awarded a fair grade that reflects the work they have put in throughout their course and is the grade they were most likely to achieve in the summer.

Best wishes

Ian Bryant

Headteacher