Good afternoon Year 11,
I am writing to you regarding the recent Government announcement surrounding the awarding of A level and GCSE grades. Following the controversial awarding of A level grades through a mixture of centre assessed grades and an algorithm, the Government has agreed to revert to centre assessed grades only. We firmly believe that this is the right decision. Your teachers have worked with you over the past two years and know what you are capable of. In my previous correspondence with you I laid out how your teachers awarded the centre assessed grades:
“Your teachers have worked as a team (faculty, SLT link, data manager) to produce the ‘most likely’ result using the evidence that they had. Headteachers nationally were asked to be judicious and to exercise ‘moral leadership’ in allocation of grades and not take the opportunity to over-inflate outcomes. To avoid school’s over inflating their results, national guidance made it clear that the school’s previous data would be taken into consideration. I want to reassure you that staff at Alsager School were rigorous in their approach; worked as a team to avoid any potential bias or discrimination and behaved professionally and with integrity.” This still stands.
When you collect your results on Thursday, you will be collecting the centre assessed grade. There may be some of you who will be disappointed with your centre assessed grade, but I want to assure you that staff awarded grades that they believed to be fair. We did not show any bias or discrimination. The process took into account a ‘consistent’ performance. For example, if a student was working consistently at a grade 5 and had one assessment graded at a 7, that student should not expect a centre assessed grade of a 7.
You will have the option of being able to take the exam in autumn, should you wish.
Due to social distancing restrictions we can only allow a certain number of students in at any one time. You have been allocated a time according to your last name. Please see below for the times. You do not need to wear a face covering in school.
As I mentioned in previous correspondence, I would urge you to properly reflect on your performance over the past five years to avoid any shocks on results day. I want to reassure you that your teachers worked with integrity and professionalism when agreeing the centre assessed grades. We always want the best for our students but it was important to work within the guidelines of the process so that it was fair. You should view the results that you receive as a stepping stone to the next part of your educational journey. If you do not get the grades that you need to do this, we will provide full support and help you make a decision to suit you. If you are unable to get onto your chosen course and would like to take your exams, you will have an opportunity to take them in the autumn series of exams. If you have any queries regarding your grades please use this email address: subjectaccessrequest@alsagerschool.org. Your subject teachers will not respond to any emails regarding the awarding of centre assessed grades.
Collection of results
| Time | Hollinshead Hall | 6th Form Study Area |
| 8.30 -8.50 | A, C | B |
| 8.50 – 9.10 | D, E | F, G |
| 9.10-9.30 | H | I – K |
| 9.30 – 9.50 | L | M |
| 9.50 – 10.10 | N-P | R, T |
| 10.10-10.30 | S | V-Y |
Family and friends will not be able to accompany you into the building when collecting results. If you have not achieved the grades required for a course, staff will be available to support and advise you via a telephone appointment in the afternoon. You will be provided with a course booklet to see what alternatives are available in advance of the call. Students who have met the entry requirements but wish to change their options should email Mrs Pole, Mr Evans or Mrs Rowlands to ask for a telephone appointment.
