Dear Parents & Carers
At this time of year, students in Years 11 and 13 can start to feel the pressure of exams. We’re mindful that it’s exacerbated for this year’s students by what has happened over the last 18 months. I thought it would be helpful to outline what we know so far and what we’re doing to help.
Firstly, Ofqual have announced that there will be some adjustments to GCSE and A Level exams next summer to take into account the disruption of the last couple of years. At the moment, we don’t yet have the details but should know more by February. The general message seems to be that schools will be able to design far more focused exam preparation, with the exam boards giving an indication of which areas to concentrate on. We will obviously share this information with you when we get it. Overall, I’d say the proposals seem quite sensible and helpful to the year groups concerned.
Secondly, to support our students, we run an intervention programme to address gaps in knowledge and this has already begun. At the moment we’re focusing on core subjects in Year 11, but Year 13 interventions will start after half term. As the year goes on, the number of subject interventions will expand and extend to all year groups as we collect ever more assessment data. It takes time to make sure the right students get the right interventions at the right time, but it will happen, so please be on the lookout for letters from school.
This year we’ve also expanded the number of sets from 10 to 12 in English, maths and science in Year 11, allowing for smaller classes and to give more attention where it is needed. In other year groups we have added sets, or double staffed sets, to help boost the progress of identified students.
Importantly, in order to support students who may be struggling, we’ve added to the sixth form pastoral team and to our mental health and welfare teams.
Shortly after half term, we’ll publish the full plan on our website so please take the time to see how we are accelerating the academic and social progress of our students post Covid. If your child is in an exam year, I hope this reassures you – and them – to know that interventions are coming and adjustments are being made to help them.
Best wishes
Andy Perry – Head Teacher
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