The DfE (Department for Education)  has released a document which gives a general outline of the steps that Ofqual (the government office of qualifications and examinations) intends to follow, in conjunction with teacher union representatives, in order to develop a fair process which will seek to deliver grades which are an accurate reflection of student achievement. This document can be accessed through the following link:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced

As you will see, the document does not set out the fine detail of how Ofqual is going to calculate the final grades. When that detail is released, I will write to you again to explain the steps that NSB will take in response and also in regards to any impact that this process may have on the conditional Sixth Form offers for Y11 students or University offers for Y13 students. Given that the school does not yet know the fine detail of the process to be undertaken, please do not contact the school to ask about the grades that are going to be submitted. The document does confirm that the calculated grades will be awarded to students by the end of July.

There are revision materials available for all Y11/13 students on AIM. It is my recommendation that, at the current time, students periodically revisit work in the subjects that they are intending to take to A Level or to degree level, in order to help ensure that they are as well prepared as possible for these higher level courses.

Yours sincerely

Richard Bernard

Headmaster

Northampton School for Boys