Year 11 – Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs)
Dear Parent/Carer
I am writing to update you with support and guidance for your student during the awarding of Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs).
We appreciate and understand that assessment can cause anxiety and we want to reassure you that we are working closely with our students to ensure they understand the process and are confident their results will be fairly awarded.
As you know, this year the government has said that many exams and assessments cannot be held fairly as a result of the disruption students have faced due to the pandemic. Teachers will instead submit grades to the exam boards, based on their assessment of what students have shown they know and can do. Your child has completed many pieces of classwork, homework and assessments which can all be used to award a holistic grade for each subject your child has been studying.
This guide from the government outlines the arrangements in place for awarding grades in summer 2021, and where students can go for additional information.
Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, which regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England, has produced a blog specifically for students who may be worried about TAGs and their results. You can read the blog here.
Information about the fairness and flexibility that is at the heart of the TAG process can be read here.
If your child is experiencing anxiety, there are many practical strategies suggested by the Young Minds charity that may help you to support them at home. Remember that everyone is different, and that over time you and your child can work together to find the things that work best for them if they are experiencing anxiety.
Most importantly, keep talking to your child about how they are feeling – and encourage your child to talk to their teachers about any concerns they may have.
If you have any concerns about your child or the TAG process at Hanham Woods Academy, please contact us as soon as possible.
As a reminder, the policy we have adopted for the awarding of TAGs at Hanham Woods Academy can be read here
In terms of time remaining at Hanham Woods Academy, your child will be receiving feedback on recent assessments with further opportunities to improve. Teachers will also complete any teaching of course content.
We will then transition to preparation for next steps in terms of careers advice and guidance, and being ‘post 16 ready!’ During this time students will be combining working online at home and attending the academy if required. I will communicate again with exact dates and details once we are sure all students have had every opportunity to achieve the best grades they possibly can.
Yours sincerely
Mr S T Kneller | Academy Principal
