Dear Parents/Carers,
We are writing to inform you of the exam contingency arrangements that have been put in place for your child following the recent consultation by Ofqual (the exams regulator) and the Department for Education (DfE).
The approach to contingency arrangements is described as follows:
“The government is clear that students entering GCSEs, AS or A Levels in 2022 should expect to take exams in the summer and complete any non-exam assessments in the usual way throughout the year.”
“If exams had to be cancelled in summer 2022, students’ grades would instead be determined by their teachers, using a Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) approach similar to that used in summer 2021. TAGs are based on teachers’ assessment of their students’ work.”
There are some similarities to the contingency process for 2021, but in particular the approach has key differences relating to two themes:
- Strengthening controls, such as exam-like conditions (such as mock exams)
- Taking a more proportionate approach in order to better mitigate workload risks
Timing and number of assessment points
The guidance from Ofqual and the DfE suggests three assessments points is a ‘sensible approach’:
- Second half of the Autumn term 2021
At Wilmington Academy all year 11 and year 13 students are writing their series 1 mock exams between 29 November and 10 December 2021. The mocks will be taken in exam conditions in the sports hall.
- Spring term 2022
There are a number of external exams taking place in January and February 2022 in BTEC subjects – these will take place in exam conditions in the sports hall.
At Wilmington Academy all year 11 and year 13 students will be writing their series 2 mock exams between 28th February and 11 March 2022. The mocks will be taken in exam conditions in the sports hall.
- First half of the Summer term 2022
At Wilmington Academy all year 11 and year 13 students will be widely assessed writing exam-style questions in their lessons in exam conditions.
As you can see from the information above there is a heavy emphasis on the importance of mock examinations. Please would you have a discussion with your son/daughter about the significance of their performance in their mock exams. These could be an integral part of the way that their grade is decided next summer, should the external examinations be cancelled.
Please find in the button below the guidance provided by the Confederation of School Trusts.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Yours faithfully,
Mr M Gore
Principal
