Letter of Invitation to GCSE Results Day 2020 – Thursday 20 August 2020

13th July 2020

Dear Year 11 Students and Parents/Carers,

Letter of Invitation to GCSE Results Day 2020 – Thursday 20 August 2020

I am writing to confirm the arrangements for the collection of this summer’s GCSE exam results. Due to the current Covid situation, students will be able to collect their statement of results at the following date and time:

Date Thursday 20th August 2020
Time Based on Surname
A- D 10.00am to 10.30 am
E – K 10:30 – 11:00am
L – R 11:00am – 11:30am
S – Z 11:30am – 12pm

In case there are any changes to this due to Covid 19, a text will be sent home on Wednesday 19th August confirming the arrangements.

Please note that, if your son/daughter is unable to collect their results on the day, and you wish the results to be released to another person, this must be confirmed in writing prior to results day. There will be a careers adviser available on the day to speak to students, as well as some colleagues from post-16 providers.

The Government guidance on the summer 2020 examination series can be accessed using the link below and answers to some frequently asked questions are also provided to help students, parents and carers understand how this will affect them:

Summer 2020 grades for GCSE AS – A level guidance for teachers students parents

In addition, the Government has also announced the dates for the Autumn GCSE examinations Monday 2nd November to Monday 23rd November for any student who wishes to sit their GCSE. More information regarding this will be available on Results Day.

We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday 20th August at your allocated time.

Colleen Litchfield
Assistant Principal, City Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

Will grades issued in 2020 carry the same weight as grades issued in previous or future years?

• The grades awarded to students will have equal status to the grades awarded in other years and should be treated in this way by universities, colleges and employers.
• On the results slips and certificates, grades will be reported in the same way as in previous years.

What if a student doesn’t agree with the grade awarded to them by the examination board?

• Ofqual have confirmed that learners who do not feel that the grade they have been issued with fairly reflects their performance will have two options available to them: the opportunity to appeal this result in accordance with the awarding body’s appeals procedures and/or; to take a further assessment at the next available opportunity. Examination boards will offer an examination series in autumn 2020 and summer 2021.
• Appeals will be allowed in cases where a school/college believes they have made an error when submitting information, or similarly, if a school/college believes an examination board made a mistake when calculating, assigning, or communicating a grade.

If students are unhappy with a grade, do they have to take all their examinations in autumn 2020 or summer 2021, or can they just take examinations in the subject they are unhappy with?

• Students will not have to sit examinations in all subjects in the autumn or summer term. They may take examinations in as few subjects as they would like to. If a student wishes to take examinations in a particular subject in the autumn 2020 or summer 2021 examination series, they will need to take all of the examination papers in that subject.

If students take an examination in autumn 2020 or in summer 2021, which will stand –the examination or their original grade?

• Students who feel their grades awarded by the examination boards do not reflect their ability will have the opportunity to take their examinations in the autumn 2020 series or in summer 2021. If they choose to do this, students will be able to use the higher of the two grades for future progression.

How will students appeal against a grade awarded to them by the examination boards?

• Parents, carers, or students will not be able to appeal directly to examination boards. Parents/carers and students will need to discuss the reason for appeal with the school/college. If the school/college believes there to be an issue with the standardisation procedure applied by the examination board, when awarding the final grade, they will appeal on behalf of the student.

What if the examination board reject an appeal or the student does not meet the criteria for making an appeal?

• Students who feel their grades, awarded by the examination boards, do not reflect their ability will
have the opportunity to take their examinations in the autumn 2020 series or in summer 2021. If
they choose to do this, students will be able to use the higher of the two grades for future progression.