Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope that this email finds you and your families well during these unprecedented times. The wellbeing of the learners in our school community remains a key priority for us during this time of closure.
For those pupils in Years 11 and 13 we understand the concerns associated with not sitting their final examinations and we are awaiting further clarification from the WJEC examination board and Qualifications Wales, the qualifications regulator, which will help us to secure the examination grades and qualifications for our learners that they deserve.
Following the communications received by school so far, we understand that:
The WJEC examination board will share more precise information about the process of securing GCSE and A level qualifications for our pupils in April and we await this information eagerly.
Qualifications Wales is still considering ways to give grades for those Year 11 and Year 13 learners not studying GCSE or A levels and as most vocational qualifications are offered across the UK, they are working with fellow regulators, exam boards and governments across the UK to ensure consistency.
Significantly, Qualifications Wales are not looking to secure grades for Year 10 pupils or Year 12 learners pursuing AS Levels in the same way as Year 11 or Year 13 – options are currently being explored and we await an update on this.
I am very mindful of pupils’ wellbeing at this uncertain time and especially against the backdrop of the challenges presented by the coronavirus outbreak. You can rest assured that we will work relentlessly to ensure that the final grades awarded to our learners are fair to them and also consider the intensity of effort always invested by students in the period between March and their examinations.
For every one of our learners, school staff have worked tirelessly to ensure a suitable range of online learning activities during the period of closure. These resources have been placed on Hwb Teams for pupils in every class, for every subject. To access these resources, pupils need their Hwb log in details which were printed on adhesive labels and given to students to stick in their school planners during the last week of term. Pupils will find a wide ranges of activities to immerse themselves in during the time of school closure. In addition, they will have the opportunity to communicate with their teachers across Microsoft Teams in order to answer any queries that they might have. For any pupil who does not have online access to these resources – please email the Student Services address or telephone the school on 01792 772006 and we will gladly ensure that a set of learning resources are sent out to you: ServicesS@hwbcymru.net
Finally, I am including a link to a pupil information booklet which is already on our school website. This focuses on questions that pupils may have and ways to support their wellbeing during these uncertain times. We hope that you will find it useful and supportive in your discussions with your child: https://bit.ly/PupilInformationBooklet
With heartfelt thanks for your continued support, and with our prayers and very best wishes for your good health and that of all of your families –
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Pole