GCSE and A Level Grades Summer 2020
Posted on: April 6th 2020
Dear Parents and Students
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Summary of main points:
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It was announced on Friday 3 April 2020 that teachers will be asked to calculate GCSE and A-level grades this summer. Students who feel that their grades from the summer do not reflect their ability, will have the opportunity to take their examinations in the autumn series or in summer 2021. Ofqual, the watchdog for examinations, said that students would be able to use the higher of the two grades.
In calculating grades, Ofqual wants schools and colleges to make a “fair and objective” judgment of the grade they believe each student would have achieved, if they had sat their examinations this summer.
Please note that these calculated grades are not the same as:
- working at grades (the grade a student is currently working at)
- target grades (often set a little higher than likely to be achieved, to motivate students)
- GCSE predicted grades provided for sixth form and college applications
- A Level predicted grades provided to UCAS in support of university applications
Teachers have been asked to use students’ prior attainment and how they have performed so far on their GCSE or A-level course. Teachers must take into account the full range of available evidence when they grade students, including non-examination or performance assessment, for example in Dance, Drama and PE, the results of any homework assignments or mock examinations and any other records of student performance over the course of study.
The examination boards will monitor these grades to make sure schools are not overly generous. If a school awards a lot of A*s at A level or 9s at GCSE, without having achieved those grades in previous years, examination boards and Ofqual could downgrade results. Within each grade, teachers will be asked to rank candidates from strongest to weakest. Teachers will have to sign a declaration, as will their Heads of Department and the Principal.
In a letter to students and their families Sally Collier, Ofqual’s Chief Regulator, urged students not to ask teachers or any other members of staff what grade they are submitting. Staff will not be allowed to share the calculated grades or the ranking of grades with students or parents. The grades must remain confidential.
A-Level results were due to be published this year on 13 August 2020 and GCSE results on 20 August 2020. However, it is expected that results will be issued a little earlier than in previous years. As soon as Ofqual confirm the exact dates for results, we shall let you know.
With regards
Ray Hinds
Principal
Baylis Court School
Here is a useful link from Ofqual, Sally Collier, Chief Regulator
Letter to students and parents from Ofqual Summer 2020