Information regarding Exams & Grades

Over the Easter break, CCEA announced the way forward for awarding CCEA GCSE and A’Level qualifications for students affected by the cancellation of the Summer 2020 series.

Read CCEA’s guidance on how grades will be awarded here.

https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/ccea-asset/Examinations/Guidance%20document%20for%20Student%2C%20Parents%20and%20Teachers_4.pdf

Here is a snapshot of the information included in the document:

For A LEVEL STUDENTS: We anticipate that a calculated grade, which uses statistical predictions based on previous student performance combined with centre assessed grades and centre rank orders, will provide a reliable grade outcome.

Students will not be required to take A level examinations through an additional sitting, such as an autumn series.

FOR AS LEVEL STUDENTS: They will receive an AS grade and there will be no AS exams until Summer 2021.

The grade awarded will be based on previous student performance combined with centre assessed grades and centre rank orders. Awarding organisations are working towards the model on which grades will be awarded and in which centre assessed grades and centre rank orders will be used.

The nature of the AS grade awarded in 2020 will not allow it to contribute to A level results in 2021.

In Summer 2021, students will have two options for their A level award. If a student chooses to only sit the required A2 units, then their AS outcomes will be calculated using statistical predictions based on their performance in the A2 units.

If they choose to sit any AS units, alongside the A2 units, they will be awarded the highest grade at A level from either route.

FOR GCSE STUDENTS who were due to sit GCSE exams that would have led to a whole GCSE qualification this summer will be issued a grade using a combination of average centre performance, centre assessed grades and rank ordering.

Students who were due to sit units that will lead to GCSE grades in 2021 (Mostly Year 11s), will not receive a unit result this year. For those students, there will be two options. In 2021 they can sit the units they planned to take next year, and not the unit(s) they entered for in Summer 2020.

These 2020 units will have a mark calculated using statistical predictions based on their performance in the 2021 units. As a result, an overall GCSE grade will be awarded in 2021.

Alternatively, they can choose to sit all the units in Summer 2021. Whichever option a student chooses, they will be awarded the highest grade.

Teachers will not be able to tell pupils or parents any calculated grades. Teachers will not know the final grade as “predictions” are subject to CCEA statistical analysis and modelling after they have been sent.

What happens if one or more of my GCSE, AS and A level qualifications is not provided by CCEA?

It is also anticipated that students will receive calculated grades for other examination bodies such as BTECS. Full guidance can be found here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/879019/Summer_2020_results_for_vocational_technical_and_other_qualifications.pdf

A message to all pupils from CCEA:
https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/ccea-asset/Examinations/A%20message%20to%20students_0.pdf

As a school we always perform exceptionally well in GCSE and A’Level examinations.

Let this reassure all our parents and pupils at this time.