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Cardiff GCSE results 2020

20/08/20 

Year 11 pupils from across the city have today received their GCSE results, many of which have been delivered virtually due to COVID-19.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Councillor Sarah Merry, said: "GCSE results day is an important milestone in the lives of young people, marking the start of a new chapter in their lives, whether that is going on to Post 16 education, employment or traineeships.

"This group of Year 11 students have been faced with an exceptional set of challenges due to the health crisis and they will always be recognised for overcoming these. They have also had to deal with added uncertainty about the way that grades would be calculated.

"I would like to congratulate all of Cardiff's students as they celebrate their hard work, and begin to look forward to an exciting new future."

Given the decision to cancel examinations this summer as a result of the pandemic, the WJEC have developed a process which allows grades to be based on Centre Assessment Grades and Rank Orders which have been submitted by teachers/ lecturers.

Following a consultation with young people and education professionals conducted by Qualifications Wales, the WJEC has developed two statistical standardisation models, which have been approved by Qualifications Wales, which have been applied as part of the process for the issuing of grades for the summer 2020 exam series.

On the 17th August, the Minister for Education in Wales confirmed that A-Level, AS, GCSE, Skills Challenge Certificate and Welsh Baccalaureate grades in Wales would be awarded on the basis of Centre Assessment Grades. It was also announced that an independent review of events following the cancellation of exams will be undertaken.

A further update from WJEC on the 19thAugust confirmed that, "WJEC GCSE, Eduqas GCSE, Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate (KS4 and Post 16 Foundation and National), Level 1/2 Vocational Awards and Certificates*, Level 1/2 Other General Qualifications(Latin and Additional Mathematics) and Entry Level learners will receive the best grade out of their calculated grade or centre assessment grades." Also, WJEC announced that they were, "awaiting confirmation to the changes to appeals from regulators and will provide further information at the earliest opportunity."

In addition, the Relaxation of School Reporting Requirements (Wales) (Coronavirus) amends a number of regulations to reduce the requirements on schools for 2019/20.

Welsh Government has outlined that, ‘Qualification awards data will not be used to report on attainment outcomes at a school, local authority or regional consortium level and must not be used to hold schools to account for their learners' outcomes.'

This announcement also highlighted that all schools and post-16 providers will continue to be required to undertake effective self-evaluation to support continuous improvement.

This will involve schools, with support from local authorities and regional consortia, using the learner level information they have on attainment and other outcomes to reflect on and improve their existing arrangements.
 

Cardiff is committed to ensuring that all young people are supported through transition. The ‘Cardiff Commitment' to young people,  which brings together Council services and citywide partners to support all young people to reach their full potential,will ensure that advice and support is readily available to all school leavers that may need help with their next steps.
 

An Advice Directory has been prepared by the Council and several other organisations, providing links to a range of advice and information which can be accessedboth virtually and through face-to face appointments. To visit the Advice Directory for School Leavers please visit: www.cardiff.gov.uk/schoolleavers 
 

Cllr Merry added: "The transition for learners from school into further education, employment or training is an incredibly important period for young people and it is vital that the right support and advice available to them. That is why teams across the Council have worked with schools and external partners to make sure help is available to those who need it."

Further information:

 

       Welsh Government update onSchool performance reporting arrangements on August 10th:
https://gov.wales/school-performance-reporting-arrangements-important-update