Year 11 Examinations (2021) Update
Dear Parents/Carers
The Government have announced that GCSE examinations will not be happening this summer. In his statement to Parliament on 6th January 2021 Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary stated:
Although exams are the fairest way we have of assessing what a student knows, the impact of this pandemic now means that it is not possible to have these exams this year. I can confirm that GCSEs and A and AS Level exams will not go ahead this summer. This year we are going to put our trust in teachers rather than algorithms.
The Department and Ofqual had already worked up a range of contingency options. While the details will need to be fine-tuned in consultation with Ofqual, the exam boards and teaching representatives, I can confirm now that I wish to use a form of teacher-assessed grades, with training and support provided to ensure these are awarded fairly and consistently.
There will additional guidance and training issued to schools in the near future about exactly how Centre Assessed Grades will be issued but we do know that every student will receive grades that will allow them to progress to their next steps in employment, education or training. We also know these grades will be based on a wide range of information that will allow teachers and leaders to assess our young people against exam criteria so they can be awarded the fairest possible outcomes.
We need to ensure that our Year 11 students remain focused on achieving the highest quality work they can every day and undertake regular assessments so they can show the knowledge, understanding and skills they have developed – this will enable teachers to have a full range of evidence on which to base their assessments. The awarding of grades can only happen at the end of the course, therefore, students must immerse themselves in learning during this period of national lockdown and when they return to the Academy. It is likely we will provide assessment opportunities where the PPE exams were planned, another big assessment opportunity towards the summer and other, more regular assessment opportunities as we want to provide our students with every opportunity to show us what they can achieve. Your child’s curriculum will continue largely as planned, interspersed with these regular assessment opportunities. It is worth noting that some of these assessments may be externally moderated by exam boards.
Teachers will talk with their students about marks, criteria and assessment objectives rather than grades. Fixating on one performance or one mark may increase anxiety in students and it is important we help our Year 11 students understand that every piece of work and every assessment opportunity will be used to make a rounded judgement on the grade to award only at the end of the academic year.
Whilst this is hugely distracting, we need students to continue to work hard, complete each GCSE as fully as possible, embrace all work set by their teacher and seek feedback for improvement so they are fully prepared for their next steps.
Young people can and should reach out for support whenever they need it. The staff at Hanham Woods Academy know how the young people will be feeling and I am confident that your child will be supported to cope well through the next period of time.
As always, if you or your child require any support during these challenging times, please do reach out to us using the [email protected] email address.
Mr S T Kneller | Academy Principal
