Dear Parent/Carers

Year 11 exam grades 2021

This past year has been a very challenging and uncertain time for everyone, including those who were due to sit exams. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for the ongoing support you have shown Stone Soup Academy and its staff over the past year, and outline a few important points regarding what we are presently doing in school with regards to examination courses. 

As all GCSE and BTEC exams have been cancelled for this summer, teachers are currently working with students to put together portfolios of evidence to support the grades that will be awarded. This can contain a range of evidence based on what has been taught, including work produced both before and during the virtual learning periods, and may vary for different subjects. 

In order to give all students an opportunity to demonstrate what they are capable of, subject leaders have put together a number of classroom-based tasks that are taking place over the coming weeks including mock exams for GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths taking place on the 18th and 19th of May at 11.30 a.m. at Richmond House. We are also offering year 11 students, Friday afternoon catch up sessions for students to access further support and guidance.

Teachers will tell students which pieces of work will be used as evidence to inform an overall grade, and students have an opportunity to raise any concerns about the evidence used, eg illness or other personal circumstances. However, the teacher will make the final judgement about what evidence will be used. Assessments will then be reviewed and moderated by other teachers in the academy. The exam boards have directed all schools that final grades for each qualification cannot be shared with students. 

Please be aware that exam results day has been moved forward to Thursday 12th August 2021. Exam results will be emailed out to all students.

We are confident that our plans for teaching and assessing are robust and we will have ample evidence to award grades fairly and accurately. If once you receive the results on the 12th August that your child believes that an error has been made in determining the grade, your child has the right to appeal by contacting the academy in the first instance.

Further guidance documents can be found on the academy website:

Infographic_-_how_GCSEs__AS_and_A_levels_will_be_awarded_in_summer_2021

Student Guide to awarding in Summer 2021 3_Student_guide_to_awarding_in_summer_2021_-_accessible

JCQ Guidance for students, parents and guardians:GCSE and AS/A levels in England Summer 2021 JCQ-Guidance-for-Students-and-Parents-on-Summer-2021

BTEC letter to students https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/campaigns/summer-2021-support/our-letter-to-students.html

Year 11 students will finish their formal timetables on Friday 28th May when we break for half term. Normally this would be the start of study leave but as there will be no formal exams when we return on Monday 7th June, year 11 students will be given personalised timetables made up of catch up in school, remote learning at home, careers support and transition support into college. The official leaving date for year 11 students will be Friday the 25th June. After which their compulsory education ends.

Again can we thank you for your continued support and if you have any queries at all about the contents of this letter then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Kerrie Henton

Principal

Stone Soup Academy