21 April 2020 – Mr Turvey Update Message
You may have seen that Ofqual recently published their guidance on how GCSE grades would be awarded over the summer. The key points from the guidance are:
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- Schools have to submit for each pupil a centre assessed grade; this is the grade we believe, based on a range of reliable evidence, the student is likely to achieve in their GCSE examination.
- Schools also have to submit a pupil ranking for each grade, based on their security in that grade; for example if 15 students in Maths are awarded a Grade 5 in Maths, we would rank them 1 to 15, with 1 being the most secure and 15 being the least secure in that grade.
- Ofqual still has the final say on awarding student grades. Following school submission, Ofqual will check the grades to make sure they are accurate, and may amend these grades up or down if they feel they are not correct.
The process is a collaborative effort between class teachers, school leaders and Ofqual. It is important to understand that the process set out isn’t simply a case of schools submitting a grade for each student. Ofqual will still make the final decisions on any grades awarded.
As a school we will work hard to ensure that students achieve the best grades they can, based on the reliable evidence we have to hand. We want to make sure that the grades we award students enable them to make appropriate next steps to further study or employment if possible. As school leaders we will have regular conversations with teachers to pull together all the assessment information we have and make sure the way that grades are awarded is rigorous and fair. We will also make sure that we check the evidence so that the grades we submit are accurate.
We know this will be an anxious and challenging situation for our students. They will be worried about the grades they are going to achieve in the summer. It is important that if they do have any concerns or worries, they address these in the correct way. The guidance is clear that teachers cannot share or discuss grades and rankings at all with pupils. If students do have any concerns of queries, please can they address these to me in the first instance, via mtu@uak.email. If students have any concerns about next steps or progression to 6th Form or college, they can still contact Miss Perring at ipe@uak.email.
Thank you for your continued support during this unique situation. We will continue to work with you to ensure that all our students become the best version of themselves.
31 March 2020 – Year 11 Home Learning Update 2 – (Week Commencing 30 March 2020)
Monday 23 March 2020
You may be aware that guidance was recently published about how you will be awarded your GCSE grades this summer. We understand that you will be concerned about how your grades are going to be awarded. We want to communicate with you clearly all the information we know at this stage to try and reassure you that you will not be unfairly disadvantaged under the government’s proposals.
The information published by the government says that:
- The exam boards will be asking teachers, who know you well, to submit their judgement about the grade that they believe you would have received if exams had gone ahead.
- To produce this, teachers will take into account a range of evidence and data, including performance in PPE exams and non-exam assessments.
- The exam boards will then combine this information with other relevant data, including prior attainment, and use this information to produce a calculated grade for each student.
This page is dedicated to providing updates on the Most Current Coronavirus Situation.
All updates will be provided, with the most recent update featuring at the top of the page:
21 May 2020 – Update Letter from Head of School
13 May 2020 – Update Letter from Head of School
28 April 2020 – Wellbeing and Education at Home Information Pack
03 April 2020 – Head of School Address:
Please take care of each other and stay safe and stay at home!
31 March 2020 – Year 11 Home Learning Update 2 – (Week Commencing 30 March 2020)
30 March 2020 – Student Home Learning Update 2 – (Week Commencing 30 March 2020)
23 March 2020 – Due to updated government guidance focussed on limiting the spread of Coronavirus, we will continue to be offering childcare ONLY for children of key workers and vulnerable students who cannot be safely cared for at home. The government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and for schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.
20 March 2020 – Parents Guide – Support for Home Learning
20 March 2020 – Update Letter for Parents/Carers – Closure
20 March 2020 – Update Letter for Parents/Carers of Vulnerable Children or who are Key workers
18 March 2020 – Update Letter for Parents/Carers – Partial Closure (Years 8 and 9)
17 March 2020 – Update Letter for Parents/Carers
16 March 2020 – Updated advice from the government is if that if anyone is living in a household where someone has symptoms of coronavirus (high temperature, cough) all family members should stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days. If this affects your child’s attendance to school, please notify the school office tomorrow morning stating clearly that this is the reason”