COVID-19 Update – 23rdMarch 2020
Further Details on GCSE/A Levels/Final Exams and grades
AQA & Pearson GCSE and A-Levels
(Information for GCSE/A Levels adapted from briefing by the UK Education Secretary)
This year’s summer exam series, including A levels and GCSEs have been cancelled in the fight to stop the spread of coronavirus. The exam regulator, Ofqual, and exam boards will work with teachers to provide grades to students whose exams have been cancelled this summer.
GCSE and A level students, where an entry has been made, will be awarded a grade which fairly reflects the work that they have put in. There will also be an option to sit an exam early in the next academic year for students who wish to.
Ofqual will develop and set out a process that will provide a calculated grade to each student which reflects their performance as fairly as possible. To produce this, teachers will take into account a range of evidence and data including performance on tests and non-exam assessment – clear guidance on how to do this fairly and robustly will be provided to schools and colleges. The exam boards will then combine this information with other relevant data, including prior attainment, and use this information to produce a calculated grade for each student, which will be a best assessment of the work they have put in. The aim is to provide these calculated grades to students before the end of July. In terms of a permanent record, the grades will be indistinguishable from those provided in other years.
Ofqual and the exam boards recognise that some students may nevertheless feel disappointed that they haven’t been able to sit their exams. If they do not believe the correct process has been followed in their case they will be able to appeal on that basis. In addition, if they do not feel their calculated grade reflects their performance, they will have the opportunity to sit an exam at the earliest reasonable opportunity, once schools are open again. Students will also have the option to sit their exams in summer 2021.
Pearson International GCSE and International A Levels
(Information for International GCSE and International A Levels adapted
from press release by Pearson)
Where schools are open and a country is deemed safe, exams for International GCSE and International A Levels will take place for students outside of the UK in May and June 2020.
Where schools are closed and public exams are not permitted due to COVID-19, students will have the opportunity to receive a grade for qualifications where an entry has been made. These will be awarded using the same principles as the UK GCSE and GCE A Level which will not have exams in any country in May/June 2020.
Term 3 Grades and Final Exams
This is an unprecedented situation for all of us. Our commitment is to ensure no young people face a barrier when it comes to moving onto the next stage of their lives. With this in mind, if schools remain closed after June 20th2020, the Grammar School will also follow a similar procedure to the one adopted by the examination boards. We will share further details on the principles and approach as soon as possible.
Dear Parents/Guardians and students, this – like the coronavirus itself– is an unusual and rapidly changing situation and we understand that it is causing uncertainty and worry, but please bear with us. Our focus is on keeping everyone safe and supporting our students to achieve the qualifications they need to progress to the next stage of their lives. It is important that all students keep in touch with their teachers and continue to work with them.
Stay safe and be well!
