Dear Year 11, parents and carers,
I am writing in advance of your results collection tomorrow. On Monday the Government changed its process for how grades are being awarded.
The following is a response to what we know so far based on an Ofqual announcement around 4pm on Monday.
The government announced that Centre Assessed Grades, known as CAG, and also referred to in the media as ‘teacher assessed grades’ will now be used as your official grades for GCSE qualifications. These were the original grades the school submitted BEFORE some of them were adjusted by exam boards. This will ensure none of you will be at a disadvantage as a result of the national exams fiasco. Currently this only applies to GCSE and not BTEC qualifications, however there is some suggestion that these qualifications may follow suit and we will inform you as soon as we know more.
The official government announcement by Ofqual can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-roger-taylor-chair-ofqual
Along with further guidance that can be accessed here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grading-of-vocational-and-technical-qualifications
In April this year, as an Academy we worked hard to pull together Centre Assessed Grades to send to the Department for Education. We have produced a fair and credible set of grades on the basis of mock exams, teacher assessments and classwork that enable students to progress. As Principal, I am confident that these grades reflect you as individuals and welcome the government decision to not apply the national statistical model to individual results.
In a time of huge uncertainty, you have managed superbly, showing all the resilience, optimism and courage that I have come to expect from you. In the meantime, I want you to be proud of the hard work you have put in, the strength of character you have shown, and understand that these results are not the sole indicator of you as a young adult – just steps to the next exciting new part of your life.
Should you feel that you need a conversation with someone from the Academy, staff will be available on results day tomorrow. We will continue to support you with your Post-16 decisions and steps for as long as you will need this support. We are still able to offer Careers Advice and Guidance appointments, conversations and one-to-one support to ensure that you are able to move onto those destinations you aspire to.
I hope this presents some much needed good news in a terribly traumatic few days for some of you!
Yours sincerely
Mr W Monk, Principal
