Plans have been put in place to ensure all students in Guernsey and Alderney receive fair grades this summer, following the decision announced earlier this year that no external exams would take place in 2021.
Instead, grades will be decided by teachers and schools based on a range of evidence of students’ attainment, including mock exams, coursework and internal assessments.
Secondary school leaders in Guernsey and Alderney recently shared plans for awarding grades with students in Year 11 and 13 and their parents and carers.
While assessments that have already been completed may help teachers to reach a decision, it is important to note that students’ grades have not yet been decided. The process has been designed so that the final decisions on grades are made as close to the end of the course as possible. This will mean that any work completed in their remaining time in school/college during the rest of this month will support students to achieve the highest grades possible.
For students completing their studies in Year 11, teachers will be working together to ensure grades are awarded fairly across schools. Final authorisation of grades will be made by each school’s Headteacher/Principal. In the event that a student feels that their final grade in any qualification is not a fair reflection of the standard at which they have performed, they will have the right to appeal the grade. There will also be an opportunity for students to sit exams in the Autumn should they wish to. School will continue as normal for Year 11 students up to and including Friday 28th May 2021. After this date, students will not be expected to attend. Bridging work will be provided for those going on to either the Sixth Form Centre or the College of Further Education, and for some subjects there may be opportunities to attend bridging courses in person.
Year 11 students will receive GCSE and equivalent results on Thursday 12th August 2021. Schools will confirm arrangements for results days before students leave school.
The grading of qualifications in Post-16 education will follow a similar process. IB results will be published on Tuesday 6th July and A level and vocational qualifications on Tuesday 10th August. Detailed arrangements for students and information for parents has been provided by the College of Further Education and the Sixth Form Centre.
Should students or their parents/carers feel unsure about any of these arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact your school or the College of Further Education directly. We would ask that they are respectful of the challenging position teachers are in this year and please do not lobby for higher grades. The process put in place, with teachers from across schools working together, is designed to ensure consistency of grades.
Liz Coffey, Executive Principal of the Secondary School Partnership, said: “Students should feel confident that their hard work will still be recognised and fairly rewarded, and that they will still be able to follow their ambitions for the future.
“Their experience at school has given them a huge amount beyond the final grades they receive. None of the differences in this year’s grading process change the value of everything they have learnt and the skills they have developed over their time at school. Students should continue to try their best: their continued learning over the next few weeks will not just influence the grades they receive this year, it will also provide a strong foundation for further study and for their futures, whatever their chosen paths.”
Wendy Wilson, Deputy Headteacher of St Anne’s School, said: ‘Despite all of the recent upheaval to the 2021 exams process, our Year 11 pupils and staff continue to be fully committed to the focus on their studies and are determined to demonstrate their full potential through the current assessment opportunities, endorsed by the Joint Council for Qualifications.
“Working with our colleagues in Guernsey on a collaborative approach towards standardising pupil work assures us that this is the fairest and most accurate way of deciding grades in the current climate. Year 11 students are excited about the next stage in their education. Many of them are hoping to move to Guernsey to continue their studies and they have been fully supported both on island and in Guernsey to prepare for this transition.”
