Year 11 GCSE Communication

27^th April 2021

Dear Parents and Carers of Year 11 pupils at The Dean Trust schools,

We hope that this communication finds you and your families well.

As I am sure that you are aware, like last year, this year’s GCSE results will be awarded in a different way to other years. This is due to exams being cancelled because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on learning.

On 6^th January 2021, the government confirmed that in summer 2021, students taking GCSE, AS and A levels regulated by Ofqual, should be awarded grades based on an assessment by their teachers.

Teachers can use a range of evidence to make a judgement of the grade they (students) are performing at. Students should only be assessed on what they have been taught, ensuring sufficient coverage of the curriculum to enable progression. When determining the grade, teachers should reflect the standard at which the student is performing now, not their potential. – Awarding qualifications in summer 2021 (Published 25 February 2021)

At each of our Dean Trust secondary schools, our teachers and leaders in each subject will be using a range of past and current performance assessments and their understanding of each pupil to determine the Teacher Assessed Grade. The evidence they will use will include:

• Records of your child’s performance on the content that they have been taught over the entire course of their studies.
• Any non-exam assessment, e.g. coursework or internal assessments/tests.
• Work that your child has produced in tasks set by their teacher that reflects the subject specification, format and exam board standard marking. This may include classwork (including classroom-based supervised topic assessments), remote learning, homework, internal tests or mock exams.
• Tests set by the teacher for your child to provide further evidence of the standard at which they are performing now.
• Performance evidence from November 2020 and April 2021 mock exams.

(Please note: Subject teachers and leaders will need to be certain of the authenticity of pupils’ work to include it within the evidence base that informs Teacher Assessed Grades.)

To ensure a robust and accurate process is followed, moderation will be supported by cross-Trust subject specialists and Summer 2021 JCQ Grade Descriptors, Guidance and Worked Examples.

The process described above also importantly includes three stages of Quality Assurance Checking to ensure that grades are accurate, fair and based on compelling evidence.

More detailed guidance from JCQ for students and parents/carers can be located at https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JCQ-Guidance-for-Students-and-Parents-on-Summer-2021.pdf

Please note that Ofqual have advised schools that “Centres (Schools) should be careful to avoid teachers being put under pressure from students, parents or carers to submit grades that are higher than the evidence supports. Heads of centre (Headteachers) should keep records of such cases and might be required to report to the exam boards any cases where they believe inappropriate pressure is being put on teachers. Exam boards may treat such cases as potential malpractice.”

Please also be aware that Teacher Assessed Grades must not be released prior to Results Day.

Important Dates

Year 11 Leavers Assembly – Friday 11^th June 2021

Year 11 Results Day – Thursday 12th August 2021

Should you require further information regarding the Teacher Assessed Grades process then please do not hesitate to contact the school via admin@deantrustardwick.co.uk

Yours sincerely,

Ms S Finlay

Headteacher