You may be aware that the exams regulator Ofqual have just released some further guidance regarding appealing the GCSE and A-level grades and the availability of additional examinations in the autumn.
In summary, appeals will be allowed upon three grounds: administrative errors in the submission of grades, administrative errors in the application of the standardisation and errors in the data used for that standardisation. The final ground is yet to be fully defined and we look forward to further clarification. We are participating in the government’s consultation and arguing for what we believe would be the fairest outcome for the pupils.
The government has decided that examinations should be offered in all GCSE and A-level subjects in the autumn, unless there are no entries nationally for a particular subject. With the exception of Art and Design subjects, NEA (non-examined assessments – ie coursework and projects) will not form part of awarding any qualifications in the autumn. The timing of the exams has not been set but Ofqual have indicated that they would prefer that A-level exams took place in October and GCSE exams in November.
We will continue to monitor the government announcements and, as always, will provide as much support as we can for pupils pursuing appeals or choosing to sit their examinations in the autumn.
Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic
