Dear Parent/Carer,
I write to keep you updated with important events for Year 11 students as we move towards the end of the first half term. The last day of this half term for students will be Friday 23 October with students returning on Monday 2 November 2020.
Year 11 Trial Exam Series 2020
As we look at ways to support students catching up on lost face to face learning due to lockdown, it is vital that staff and students are aware of where most progress is being made and where there are still gaps in learning. During the week beginning Monday 23 November through until Friday 4 December 2020, Year 11 students will be taking a trial exam series. These two weeks will see students complete a series of exams across all examinable subjects, mirroring the summer exam series as closely as possible. A timetable for the trial exam series will be made available to students in due course. Students are being encouraged to work closely with class teachers to ensure focussed revision is undertaken prior to the exams. We are currently running, weekly, planned study support sessions across all subjects, please encourage your child to seek out these opportunities by speaking to their class teacher. The outcome of these exams will be key in terms of providing support for individual students as well as groups of students. Results will be used in developing teacher assessed grades in relation to predicted grades for the summer exams and may very well be requested by exam boards should we be in a similar position to last summer’s exam situation. Before the end of the term we will provide all students and parents with a report on these trial exams.
GCSE Summer Exam Series 2021
It was announced this week, by the Department for Education, that the planned GCSE summer exam series will now run between Monday 7 June 2021 – Friday 2 July 2021. This is approximately three weeks later than originally scheduled. Students will be issued with a provisional timetable of exams in due course. Between now and then, we are planning several additional events and revision opportunities for students, including a range of sessions during school holidays, on Saturdays and on weekends. If you or your child has a concern over a particular aspect of learning, please contact their class teacher for advice. It is also worth remembering that students can request study support sessions on a weekly basis from any class teacher/department.
GCSE Results Day 2021
The Department for Education have also announced a change of date to GCSE Result Day for 2021. GCSE results day will now take place on Friday 27 August 2021, which will still allow for progression into Sixth Form, College or Apprenticeships for all students during the following week. The format of the day will be released closer to the date, but we very much look forward to celebrating student success at this time.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support at this hugely important time for Year 11 students.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself, Mrs Beeckmans or Mr Sword in the Upper School Team.
Kind regards
Mr Bland
Head of Upper School