Exams

Statement re award of qualifications in Summer 2021

Due to the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the UK government announced in January 2021 that the majority of examinations would not take place this summer.

We have now received clarification on how grades will be awarded this year.

For the majority of courses (your tutor will notify if this applies to you), grades will be awarded by each student’s tutor, based on a range of evidence that will be used to support the grade decision.

Students will receive one grade per qualification, rather than separate grades for each unit and students will only be graded on their performance in the qualification content that they have been taught.

Examples of evidence that our tutors will use in determining final grades are as follows:

• Completed internal assessments, classwork or homework assignments or assessments
• Mock examinations (based on past papers, or ongoing tests still to be sat)
• Formal assessments such as papers sat in January 2021
• Informal assessments
• Evidence from specialist Teachers and other educational professionals such as special education needs coordinators (SENCos) who have worked with the Learner where appropriate.
• Project work
• Recordings (e.g. of practical performance)
• Evidence from work experience (where relevant to the qualification)
• Tracker of achievement and attainment over the course
• Witness testimonies or teacher observation records when used in conjunction with other forms of evidence

Functional Skills / City & Guilds Awards (excluding Technicals)

For functional skills and most City & Guilds Awards (Construction) assessments are still taking place as originally planned.

What does this mean for me?

In order to be able to award you a grade, your tutors need to accumulate as much evidence as possible to support their decision. All teacher assessed grades will be subject to external moderation and validation. This will ensure that all students are graded fairly and accurately.

It is therefore essential that you continue to attend all your lessons including English and maths, actively engage in all tasks and complete the work set by your tutors. This gives us the best possible opportunity to give you the grade that you deserve.

If you have any questions in relation to the above, please contact your tutor however, we are under strict instructions not to discuss specific grade awards with students or parents.

Will I be able to find out my unit grades?

Although your result from the Awarding Organisation will only show one grade result for your overall qualification, we are still able to provide you with a breakdown of your grades at unit level if you need this, once moderation has been completed (after 12 August 2021).

Exam Arrangements

We know that exams can be a stressful time, but we are here to help you settle those nerves and perform at your very best ability. This page contains all the key information that you need to be prepared.

If you need Exam Access Arrangements (extra time, a small exam room, reader etc) please make sure that our Exams Team know so that they can make arrangements before the exam date.

If you have any questions or wish to speak to someone about exams our Exams Team are always happy to help! Send them an email or pop along to visit them at our Holcot Centre.

Notices for Candidates

• Written Assessments
• On Screen Examinations
• Non examination Assessments
• Coursework Assessments
• Privacy Notice

Still have questions about exams?

Contact our Exams Team direct either by email or call on 01604 491131.