Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the end of the spring term, I am so grateful for the collective effort of our community. We are stronger together!
Thank you to every student, parent and carer for the way in which you have worked, over the last few weeks, as a community throughout this first phase of wider opening. We have been exceptionally proud of the way in which students have approached their return to school and the maturity with which they have approached their studies. It has been a pleasure to welcome them back to school and into the classroom.
I would like to share with you updates on a few matters as we approach the summer term.
GCSE and A level Final Assessment
Final information has now been published by the Joint Council for Qualifications, JCQ, detailing the process by which students in Years 11 and 13 will be awarded Teacher Assessed Grades. Please refer to this video presentation describing the process in more detail. Students in Years 11 and 13 will be expected to demonstrate, to their teachers, the level at which they are working in each subject area. Various progress tasks have been and will continue to be set over the course of the coming half term. Part of this awarding process will be the expectation that students will sit an assessment test. These will be managed in classrooms to signal that these are not examinations in the traditional sense. These final assessments for Years 11 and 13 will be scheduled between 10-21 May. Students will be well prepared for these assessments; however, they will need to set time aside to ensure they revise effectively.
Annual Internal Examinations
As you will know, the usual cycle of annual assessments has had to be suspended because of the disruptions this year. However, we do think it is important to make sure that all students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding, as well as having the opportunity to catch up all that they need to, so students are on track as we begin the next academic year. We have, therefore, rescheduled the planned examinations for each year group. They will now take place during the following weeks:
- Year 12: 7-11 June
- Year 10: 24-8 May
- Year 9: 26-30 April
- Year 8: 7-11 June
- Year 7: 21-25 June
We will publish exam timetables nearer the time to confirm which exams will take place on which day.
COVID testing over Easter
If your child tests positive for COVID during the Easter holiday following a PCR test at a testing centre, please inform College by phoning reception so that we may carry out contact tracing, as appropriate.
For families currently participating in home testing using the lateral flow tests, please continue with the twice weekly tests during Easter holidays.
Last week, Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education wrote to children and young people to recognise the impact of the disruption they have faced over the past year and to thank them for their resilience. You can read his open letter here.
The last day of term is Thursday 1 April. I would like to wish you and your family a much-deserved rest over the Easter holidays. We look forward to welcoming students back into College on Monday 19 April.
Yours faithfully,
Mr M Hall
Principal
