We’re writing with an update and a list of frequently asked questions about the results days in August.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing today to update you on the collection of exam results in August. I am sure that you will have lots of questions about the process and we’ve put together some frequently asked questions at the end of this letter to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to work with students and their families.

Year 13 – Tuesday 10th August 2021
Students should aim to arrive from 0830 and enter via the main gate queuing outside reception to go into the canteen. The early start is to ensure students who need to go through clearing/adjustment have time to do this.

Year 11 (also including year 12 and year 13 GCSE resit students) – Thursday 12th August 2021
Students should aim to arrive within the following designated times, queuing outside reception.

Surname A-I > 0930 – 1015
Surname  J-Q > 1015 – 1100
Surname R-Z > 1100 – 1145

Students will enter the collection point one at a time to collect their results from the results desk. On receipt of their results, they will exit and then leave the building unless they require staff support and at that point.

To restrict the numbers entering the site, we ask that if you attend with only one family member or friend. That means for each person collecting results there will be an absolute maximum of two people.

We will not be doing any extensive media coverage but we are hoping to take some celebratory videos and photos. Students will be encouraged, for the safety of all, not to group on-site or outside the Academy gates once they have collected their results. If students have any queries or concerns regarding their results they should speak to a member of staff.

Students’ grades have been determined by schools and colleges this year as teachers are best placed to do this. The appeals process is a critical safety net in the event that anything goes wrong to ensure that each learner has an individual right to appeal their grades via a transparent process of review. We’ve ensured that students get the right grades by ensuring that students understand how their grades are determined. Amongst other things this has involved:

• Effective provision of access arrangements / reasonable adjustments for all eligible students.
• Effective arrangements for students that may have been disadvantaged during an assessment that contributes to their grade either by taking the circumstances into account in determining grades or by using alternative evidence that was unaffected by the adverse circumstances.
• Effective communication with students and parents/guardians so that they understand our approach to determining grades, including the items of evidence used and the grades/marks associated with them so students can raise any potential errors or mitigating circumstances.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Effective checking of information on our assessment records.

All of these factors will help ensure that students understand the evidence on which their grade is based and that this evidence represents their ability in the subject. This will reduce the risk of students receiving incorrect results caused by administrative or procedural errors, and students will be able to progress without delay

Students will also have the option to re-sit their exams in the autumn, or next summer (2022) if they wish to. If students do choose to sit exams, both grades (the calculated grade awarded in August 2021 and a later exam result) will stand. Students should be reassured that certificates will look the same as in any other year.

If, after reading this, you still have concerns and need to speak to me or a member of my leadership team, please send an email to [email protected] or by telephone 01384 566598, we will do our best to answer any questions.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Lisa Mason
Principal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the appeal process?
If you request a centre review or an awarding organisation appeal there are three possible outcomes:

• Your original grade is lowered, so your final grade will be lower than the original grade you received.
• Your original grade is confirmed, so there is no change to your grade.
• Your original grade is raised, so your final grade will be higher than the original grade you received.

Once a finding has been made you cannot withdraw your request for a centre review or appeal. If your grade has been lowered you will not be able to revert back to the original grade you received on results day.

You can ask the centre to check whether it made a procedural error, an administrative error, or both. A procedural error means a failure to follow the process set out in the centre policy. An administrative error means an error in recording your grade or submitting your grade to the awarding organisation. You must request a centre review before you can request an awarding organisation appeal. This is so the awarding organisation is certain that your grade is as the centre intended.

You can ask the awarding organisation to check whether the centre made a procedural error – or whether the awarding organisation itself made an administrative error. You can also ask the awarding organisation to check whether the academic judgement of the centre was unreasonable, either in the selection of evidence or the determination of your grade.

You should submit a request for a centre review by 16 August 2021 for a priority appeal, or by 3 September 2021 for non-priority appeals. Once you have received the outcome of your centre review, if you wish to request an awarding organisation appeal you should do so as soon as possible. Your school or college will submit this on your behalf. Requests for a priority appeal should be submitted by 23 August 2021 and requests for non-priority appeals should be submitted by 17 September 2021. Priority appeals that aren’t submitted to the awarding organisation by 23 August 2021 will still be treated as a priority but they may not be completed in time for those with a higher education place dependent on the outcome of the appeal.

A priority appeal is only for students applying to higher education who did not attain their firm choice (i.e. the offer they accepted as their first choice) and wish to appeal an A level or other Level 3 qualification result. You should inform your intended higher education provider that you have requested a centre review or appeal.

How can I make a formal complaint?
In the first instance, we would ask you to contact the Principal and discuss your complaints directly. However, if you feel you need to make a formal complaint then you can find the policy and the complaints form on our website.

Has my child been disadvantaged in any way because they could not sit an exam?
Nobody has been disadvantaged and every student across the country due to take exams this summer were in exactly the same position. Our guidance was to take account of all available evidence including schoolwork, assignments, progress, mock exams, and non-exam assessment (NEA) that a student has done in order to recommend a grade. 

My child can no longer start the college course that they were planning to – what can I do?
Colleges will be making considerations due to the disruption this year and Ofqual have assured us that no student will be disadvantaged. If your child is struggling to secure a place, please work with the appropriate key stage team and our careers advisors and let us support you.

When are the results out?
Students should be reassured that certificates will look the same as in any other year and they will be issued their results on the expected dates in August:
AS and A-levels: Tuesday 10th August
GCSEs: Thursday 12th August
There is a change of exam results embargo time – from 6:00 to 8:30am.