Dear parent / carers and learners
It has been a difficult start to 2021 with Wales on alert level 4 and schools moving to remote learning. Despite these challenges, parental and learner feedback to our online provision has been very positive with over 1,400 pupils / students accessing Teams on a daily basis. We will continue to deliver a combination of live lessons and set work to minimise the impact and disruption of school closure.
On the 5th January, Mr Foley, wrote to parents outlining the changes to assessment arrangements for GCSE, AS and A level qualifications. The Welsh Government, WJEC and Qualifications Wales published an assessment timeline which required pupils and students to complete Non Examined Assessments (coursework) internal assessment and externally set and externally marked assessments. Due to the recent school closure it became apparent that the WJEC proposed timeline was unworkable. On the 20th January the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, announced changes to how pupils / students will be graded.
What has changed?
If pupils / students were expected to sit a GCSE, AS or A level examination this summer (2021) their school will decide their grade using assessment evidence held in school. There will no external assessments or exams.
What data will schools use?
Grades will be determined using a range of assessment information. This will include:
Summative Assessments and APPs and mock exams completed during the qualification.
WJEC will be supplying schools with amended assessments which pupils / students will be expected to complete.
Completed non-examined assessments.
Work completed whilst in lock-down. It is therefore essential that all pupils / students work hard and complete work during school closure.
Classwork and homework completed during the duration of the qualification.
WJEC have informed schools that there is no expectation to assess pupils / students on topics they have not covered. However, building knowledge and skills, and covering core concepts to support progression remains a priority.
Centre determined grades will be based on what teachers expected a pupil / student to achieve at the end of the qualification. They will represent a fair, reasonable and carefully considered judgement of the most likely grade that might be achieved in normal circumstances. This is a professional judgement based on the combined assessment information held for that pupil / student and will be a holistic judgement rather than focusing on a single source of evidence. The grade awarded will not be based on target grades, mock results or aspirational grades.
Welsh Government, WJEC and Qualifications Wales have advised schools not to share school determined grades with learners / parents / carers or any other individual outside the school.
Teaching, marking and assessment will continue from now until the end of all courses and we ask parents to encourage their son / daughter to continue to engage in their online learning and ensure work is completed to the highest standard.
It is incumbent upon pupils / students to try their very best as teachers can only award grades that can be supported by work completed by pupils / students. Centre determined grades will be decided by the effort and work completed by pupils / students. Now is not the time for learners to stop working, now is the time to work harder than ever before and ensure pupils / students provide their teachers with enough evidence to award top grades.
What will happen to Year 12 students?
The WJEC and Qualifications Wales considered whether there was a fair way that AS results from this summer could contribute to A levels in summer 2022, they concluded it would not be possible. This is because A levels are usually awarded by putting marks achieved in all units together (including AS units). However, if pupils are taking AS levels this summer they will still be awarded an AS grade decided by their school. Students will be able to use this grade in their UCAS application to universities and to progress onto the A Level.
What will happen to Year 10 pupils?
If Year 10 pupils were completing a full GCSE, and were expected to sit an exam in the summer, they will be awarded a grade determined by their teachers. However, it will not be possible for pupils to sit units of a GCSE qualification this year. The WJEC are currently considering what the assessments arrangements will be for those subjects next year.
Impact on pupils / students studying vocational qualifications?
The Welsh Government announcement does not include vocational qualifications. Qualifications Wales are working with the awarding bodies offering Wales-only vocational qualifications on the way forward. Qualifications Wales will continue to work with England and Northern Ireland to decide on the arrangements for qualifications offered across the UK. Ofqual are currently consulting on proposals about the qualifications offered across the UK until 29 January. We will keep you updated.
Will pupils / students be able to appeal their grade?
Pupils / students will be able to appeal their grade and these appeals will be made directly to the school. If pupils / parents would like to challenge the process the school undertook to generate their centre determined grade they can appeal directly to the WJEC.
How we will support our pupils / students?
These are challenging and unprecedented times. It is understandable that pupils / students are concerned and anxious. If your son / daughter is anxious I would advise them to contact the school via their Head of Year to discuss their concerns. Alternatively they can contact:
Meic Cymru – 080880 23456
Childline – 0800 1111
We will continue to provide regular updates on our website and social media. If you have any specific questions please contact your son’s / daughter’s Head of Year.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully,
Mr G Turner
Deputy Headteacher
Miss S Reed
Head of 6th Form