For exam update from Ofqual released 3 April 2020 please click on this link:-
Dear Students and Parents
Hope that you and your families are keeping well.
We cannot imagine the emotions that you are all experiencing at the minute – uncertainty, anger, frustration and sadness – to name a few. No doubt, there is a feeling of trepidation about what the future holds with regards to your qualifications and this will understandably be unnerving.
You may be aware that the government and examination boards have indicated that GCSE and A-Level grades will be based on national data, your prior attainment and your subject teacher’s predictions. Your subject teachers will be expected to use their professional judgement to make this decision based on lots of criteria – it will not be based solely on mock examinations for example. Please be assured that every member of staff at The Westgate School will do everything in their power to make sure that every student gets the grades and qualifications that they deserve. We have your best interests at heart and will be positive in our approach.
We also need your continued support to help. If you are expected to submit coursework, an assignment or practical component as part of your course, it is important to ensure that you still complete this to the very highest standard if possible. It may be used as substantial evidence to predict your grade. If this applies to you, please liaise directly with your subject teacher who will offer further guidance.
The government have indicated that they would like you to receive your grades before the end of July 2020. The final grades will be consistent with previous years to make them fair and to ensure that you are not disadvantaged, but if you believe that your grades are unfair, you will have an opportunity to appeal. Finally, there will be an option for you to sit your examinations early in the next academic year (2020-2021) or in the 2021 summer examinations should you wish.
I am sure that there is a sense of despondency from many of you, but please be assured that there are lots of positives for you all to work towards. If anything, now is the time for you to invest more time and effort into your education because it will lay the foundation for whatever endeavours you decide to pursue: University; Sixth Form; employment or an apprenticeship. There is an abundance of resources on the OneDrive to support you with this and I would also recommend communicating with your subject teachers who will also be able to offer additional support.
I trust that this information will answer some of your questions – but I appreciate that you may still have some. We are working with the government and examination boards to support everyone in these challenging circumstances and we will share any new information with you when we receive it.
Working together, we will ensure that your hard work will all be worthwhile and that you all have the grades you need to progress to the next stage of your lives.
Should you have any queries please email secretary@westgate.slough.sch.uk and we will get back to you as soon as we are able to.
Mr. McKenna