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Letter to Parents: Covid-19 Update, 30th April 2020


Dear Pupils, Parents and Carers,


I hope that this letter finds you and your families safe and well as we continue to adjust to the new situation that we find ourselves in. It is with sadness that we share that a small but significant number in our extended school community have lost loved ones and we continue to remember them and their families in our thoughts and prayers at this most challenging of times.


As a school we continue to support the national effort in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, not only as a childcare hub for the children of defined key workers and also for our vulnerable learners, but also by distributing food parcels to those in need and by using our workshops and small scale manufacturing equipment to produce Personal Protective Equipment for local front line workers.


Very many of you by now will be finding a new rhythm to your day and I hope that our learners are engaging meaningfully with the resources that staff are providing within their home environments. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to raise them via ServicesS@hwbcymru.net


I write to you to also to share the following updates:


Centre assessed grades

Our staff continue to work relentlessly to arrive at fair, evidence based judgements on the grades that learners would have plausibly achieved in the summer examination series. This is a rigorous process and one with several layers of internal and external scrutiny. In adherence with the published guidance set out by Qualifications Wales, school staff can not disclose centre assessed grades to pupils. Therefore I would ask you to continue to discuss with your son/ daughter the importance of not asking school staff for any indication of their centre assessed grades. Importantly however I am mindful of the worries that learners may have relating to their qualifications and so, below, I am highlighting a formal consultation opened by Qualification Wales on the examination arrangements for Summer 2020.


Consultation by Qualifications Wales

Details of the consultation launched by Qualifications Wales regarding arrangements for the summer 2020 exam series in relation to GCSE, AS and A level qualifications can be found online at: https://qualificationswales.org/english/get-involved/consultations-and-surveys/consultation-arrangements-for-summer-2020-exam-series/


As you will see the consultation is open for all those involved with education including parents, carers and guardians and importantly our pupils. It is your chance to have your voices heard in this process. I would wholeheartedly encourage you to read the consultation document, not least because it illuminates several important issues/ processes which will potentially affect the suggested grades that we submit as a centre but also because it represents your chance to have your say on factors which can potentially impact on the hard work and efforts that your son or daughter has invested. It is important to note at this juncture that the grades we submit to the WJEC for our pupils may change. Further detail is provided on this in the consultation documentation. The consultation questions can be found at: https://qualificationswales.org/media/5900/arrangements-for-the-summer-2020-exam-series-consultation-questions.pdf and the survey should you wish to take part: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/QWsummer2020/


The consultation closes at 5pm on 13th May.


Vocational qualifications

Further information on BTEC qualifications can be found on the FAQ COVID 19 Qualification Wales page at: https://www.qualificationswales.org/english/coronavirus---covid-19/frequently-asked-questions/vocational-qualifications/


There is also a recent update on Health and Social Care qualification on Qualification Wales at: https://www.qualificationswales.org/english/news/hsc-qualifications---clarity-for-learners/


Ofqual consultation on the proposals for assessing vocational qualifications

Ofqual have published their proposal on arrangements to assess vocational qualifications. I have attached it to this letter for you and it can also be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/exceptional-arrangements-for-assessment-and-grading-in-2020


Once again I would encourage parents, carers, and learners to explore the documentation and for those who have a view to make their voices heard to the Examination Regulator through the survey. The survey can be found here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/UXS3Y8/


Please do take the time to make your views heard in the consultations as it is important that the Examinations Regulators hear as many views as possible from a broad section of interested parties. Also, please do get in touch with any issues or queries that you may have.


With very best wishes and prayers for your continued support and good health.


Yours faithfully,


Mrs Pole

Headteacher



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