A Level and GCSE Grade Award Guidance

Ofqual, the exams regulator, has today published further information regarding how A-Level and GCSE grades will be awarded to students this summer.

Ofqual, the exams regulator, has today published further information regarding how A Level and GCSE grades will be awarded to students this summer. They have also published the linked letter to students to explain what will happen and to try and answer your questions.

Please read the letter carefully here.

Ofqual aims to ensure that the awarding of grades is fair to you and that the process supports your progression to university or into employment or an Apprenticeship.

The College will now be asked to provide the grade in each subject we believe that you would have achieved if teaching, learning, and exams had happened as planned. We will also be asked to provide a rank order for all students with the same grade.

To determine your grade for each subject we have been asked to consider a range of things like your classwork and homework; your results in assignments and any mock exams; any non-exam assessment or coursework you might have done; and your general progress during your course.

You do not need to complete additional work now and any assessments you complete will need to be considered alongside the much greater evidence of your progress over the course. Completing the course content for each subject is still important, however, because you may need the knowledge or skills in the future at university or in a job.

Ofqual and the exam boards will then use this information to standardise grades across schools and colleges, to make sure that, as far as possible, results are fair and that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged because their schools or colleges are more generous or harsh than others.

This does mean that the final grade you get could be different from the one college submits. It is also why Ofqual has told us that the college cannot tell you what grade we have submitted. Please, therefore, do not ask your teacher, your tutor or any other member of staff as they will not be able to tell you.

If you are not happy with your final grade there will be an opportunity to take the exam in the autumn term as soon as it is possible to do so.

We will update you as further information becomes available, including details about vocational and technical qualifications, so please keep an eye on our website.