Understand the latest when it comes to teacher-assessed grades and how you can ensure you get the result you deserve this summer

The start of 2021 brought on the part-closure once again of schools and colleges and the cancellation of exams in England. This follows on from an already difficult 2020 which saw huge disruption to studies for many students across the country.

It’s understandable to feel disappointed that exams won’t be going ahead, especially after your hard work over not only the last term but also the last few school years.

Staying informed about what is replacing exams and how you can best prepare for them is a great way to dispel any of those concerns and feel more confident as you take the step closer to the end of the school year.

Take a read of this blog to better understand what exam cancellations mean for you and how you’re going to be assessed this year.

What is the new grading system for GCSEs and A-levels in 2021?

 

Rather than exams, all GCSE and A-level students will be given teacher-assessed grades. Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, stated that the government would “put our trust in teachers, rather than algorithms.”

 

A recent consultation from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual (the exam regulator) has been asking students, parents, teachers and employers their thoughts on their proposals for how this would work in practice. There were over 100,000 responses and the results have now been released.

 

Here’s a summary of the proposals and what they will mean for you:

 

Teacher assessments will take place as late as possible in the academic year

 

This is to give enough time for moderation and to ensure extra teaching can take place before grades are given. No specific time window has been set for when exactly they will take place but schools have been advised that they should take place as late as they can.

 

Results days for GCSE, A level and some vocational qualifications will take place in the week commencing 9 August, earlier than planned. These earlier dates provide additional time for appeals to be completed, so students reliant on grades to achieve their university offer have the best chance of getting a place.

 

Grades will be awarded in late May/early June

 

This is to give enough time for moderation and to ensure as much teaching as possible can take place before grades are given. Greater weight will likely be given to students’ performance that is closer to this time to ensure accuracy and fairness.

 

Grades will be based on your current performance, rather than what you could have achieved

 

Unlike last year, teachers will be asked to assess you on the evidence of your current work, rather than trying to predict what you might have achieved if you had taken the exam.

 

Externally-set papers will be available to assist teacher judgement

 

The consultation proposes that students sit externally-set papers that will help teachers to assess students objectively and fairly. They would be one source of evidence, taken into consideration alongside mock exam results, work already completed and internal assessments. They are likely to be in an exam-style format to ensure you are familiar with the types of questions being asked.

 

Papers will be moderated to ensure fairness across the country

 

Teachers will be provided with a package of support materials including sets of questions from exam boards that they can use to help them assess students. Most of these materials will use past questions but there will be some new questions in all subjects. Use of these materials will be optional.

 

Grades will quality assured to ensure fairness across the country

 

Grades will be subjected to different stages of quality assurance. Your school or college will have their own internal process to ensure fairness, taking into account previous results to make sure they’re not being too harsh or too lenient. Exam boards will then conduct random checks to review the evidence over the summer.

 

Exams in autumn for those who want another chance

 

If you want another chance to improve on your teacher assessment grade, it’s expected that the government will announce that exams could be taken in autumn. The government is still consulting on this.

 

Coursework will still be included

 

Coursework will provide another piece of evidence for teachers to consider as part of the final assessment but you won’t be penalised if you have been unable to complete it due to circumstances beyond your control caused by the pandemic.

 

There will be an appeals process

 

If you are unhappy with the grade you have been awarded in the summer, it looks as if you will be able to appeal the decision. First, your centre will check whether an administrative or procedural error had been made. Where a centre does identify an error in the grade, students will then have to sit an exam.

 

How to ensure you achieve your best result

 

Exams may be cancelled but learning isn’t and your future certainly isn’t. Here are some tips to ensure you achieve your best result this summer!

 

1. Stay motivated!

 

Whilst plans are still being decided, it can be easy to feel a bit disheartened. But it’s super important to continue to engage in your education and keep learning! You might not be sitting exams but you will still be being assessed this summer so it’s vital you stay engaged and motivated to learn! Keep attending your online lessons, watching the pre-recorded sessions and completing your assignments.

 

2. Don’t forget about your teacher

 

Whilst you might not be seeing them in school every day, your teachers are working hard in the background to give you the best education they can in the circumstances. Remember that they are still there to support you so be sure to reach out to them if you get stuck or are struggling with something. They’re there to help!

 

3. Structure your day

 

The school day will look a little different for everyone learning at home. It might be that you have a school timetable in place you need to follow, or you can watch the lessons at a time that suits you (and when you have access to the computer!)Be sure to set yourself a clear structure for the day. The night before, set out a list of the subjects you’re going to be studying and what work you want to complete the next day.

 

And as tempting as it might be to stay in your PJs all day, it can make the days and nights roll into one. Stick to your morning routine as if you were going to school, using that extra time you would normally be commuting to school to go for a walk or catch up with friends online.

 

4. Keep moving

 

Whilst we still need to remain at home during the national lockdown, it’s essential for your mental and physical wellbeing to get out of the house once a day for a bit of exercise. Build it into your routine so it becomes a daily habit. Find something you enjoy and something that works for you. Whether that’s taking the dog for a walk at lunchtime to break up the day or going for a run after school to clear your head.

 

5. Consider catching up

 

With the disruption that Covid-19 has caused over the last year, all students will have missed out on some content from the curriculum that should have been covered by now. Whilst there’s no need to panic and the exam regulators are considering the best ways to make sure you’re not assessed on material that’s not been covered, try to catch up on any missed learning by identifying which topics you haven’t studied and seeking the resources you need to get up to speed.

 

Speak to your teacher and see what catch -up material can be shared and ask if there is any additional support available. It might be that your school has taken up the National Tutoring Programme and you could be eligible for some additional 1-2-1 support free of charge.

 

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – exams may be cancelled but your future isn’t!

 

It might not be what you had expected but the work you do now is still really important not only for your teacher-assessed grades this summer but also for your future.