Wokingham Borough GCSE Success
Socially distanced and electronic GCSE results were issued to thousands of teenagers across Wokingham Borough today (Thursday, 20 August). It was an unprecedented results day for students across the country as COVID-19 saw changes in the way results were calculated and given out.
2020 Exams
Earlier this year the Government announced all summer 2020 exams would be cancelled due to coronavirus. This means results were calculated differently to previous years due to this situation. Schools had to submit predicted grades, based on previous work and expectations if exams had happened as planned, as well as rankings for pupils at each grade. This was to help Ofqual, which regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England, calculate and standardise grades across the country.
The information submitted by each school was used to create standards across all schools and colleges, to make sure results are fair and ensure students were not advantaged or disadvantaged if their school was more generous or harsher than others. Following an announcement earlier this week students will be able to accept their centre assessed (teacher/school assessed) grades or standardised grades, whichever is higher, or sit the exams again in the autumn if they are still unhappy with their results.
“The way the borough’s young people have handled this situation is a credit to them and the schools who have nurtured them over the last five years,” said Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services. “I’d like to congratulate all of our students and schools for the results they have received.
Marking Changes
“The changes announced earlier this week mean GCSE students can choose to take results assessed by those who know them and their abilities best – their teachers. Though the lack of exams this summer means they have missed a chance to prove themselves this time, I’m sure they will go onto great things whatever they decide to do next. I’d encourage anyone who wants to reach out for help, particularly if they did not get the results they’d hoped for, to contact our Elevate Me team to look at the best options available.”
Some students may wish to use the council’s Elevate Me team to help them find their next steps after receiving their exam results. They can find out more about options for careers, apprenticeships and further training by visiting the service’s website, where a range of contact options are available. Phone and video consultations will be available from careers advisors.
