Dear Parents,
Further to our correspondence last week in relation to the Summer Examinations for our Year 11 through to 13 students, we want to share with you the most recent update from the UK pertaining to domestic (UK based) examinations (a small proportion of our I/GCSE and A Level offering).
The UK Secretary of State for Education, Mr Gavin Williamson, has this week communicated the desire of the Department for Education, alongside Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations regulatory board), to launch a joint consultation with a view to establishing the alternative arrangements that will be needed to award qualifications in the absence of examinations.
To paraphrase Mr Williamson in his most recent correspondence to Ofqual – proposals that underpin the consultation policy include teacher assessments of student performance, guidance to support teachers in their assessment of the student’s deserved grades and allowing schools to assess against what the students have learnt, rather than against content they have not had a chance to study.
Whilst this information only applies to the Examinations outlined in the table below (our UK qualifications), hopefully it will serve as some form of reassurance for affected students, parents and teachers that efforts are being made to ensure certainty, quickly.
| UK (Domestic) Examinations: Summer 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| GCSE | AS | AL |
| Media Studies (AQA) | Biology (Edexcel) | Biology (Edexcel) Design & Technology (Edexcel) Art (edexcel) |
Please note: There have been no reported changes to qualifications relating to the International Examination Boards. Both Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel are committed to running international Examinations, where it is safe to do so and under the guidance of local authorities.
We will be sure to reach out to you with any developments.
Your Sincerely,
Peter Roberts
Deputy Head of Secondary (Academic)