Wolverhampton’s educationchief has wished students good luck as they prepare to receive their GCSE and other results next week.
Thousands of pupils in Wolverhampton will find out how they fared on Thursday 20 August – despite exams and assessments being cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, schools were asked to send exam boards details of the grades they believe students were most likely to get if teaching, learning and exams had happened as planned and, within each subject, the order of students by performance for each grade.
The exam boards have standardised this information – making adjustments to grades where needed to bring consistency to teacher judgements across all schools and colleges and to ensure the results are comparable with previous years.
As with A-levels, the Government has announced that there will be an appeals process which could see mock exam results used instead of the exam board-modified grade or there will be the option of sitting an exam in the Autumn.
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “This year has been a year like no other, and our children and young people have had to deal with unprecedented interruptions to their learning as well as the stresses and strains of living through a global pandemic. Many of them will have friends or family members who have suffered, and perhaps even tragically died, from Covid-19.
"I want to wish everyone collecting their GCSE and other results the very best of luck, and I hope they achieve the outcomes they want.
"We have seen steady improvements in educational standards in Wolverhampton over the last few years, with 86% of our schools now rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, and we hope that next week’s exam results will show another good performance by students in what have been exceptional circumstances.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate pupils – and their teachers and parents – on all their hard work and wish them the very best for the future, whether they are planning on continuing their education, taking up an apprenticeship or traineeship, or entering employment for the first time.”
A number of organisations will be providing help and advice to students, including schools, colleges and training providers, and there are lots of options available for young people – whether their exam results are as they expected, better or not quite as good as they hoped they would be. These include going on to college, entering the world of work or becoming an apprentice.
Connexions will be providing help and support for people who have received their results and are unsure what to do next - please call 01902 554499, email connexions@wolverhampton.gov.uk or search for Connexions Wolverhampton on Facebook.
Apprenticeships are real opportunities for people of all ages who are motivated to work, enthusiastic to learn, and want to earn a competitive salary while gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Leading industries and businesses are looking for the next set of dynamic apprentices to shape the future of organisations in Wolverhampton. More information about apprenticeships is available from Wolves Workbox, www.wolvesworkbox.com/apprenticeships or the national apprenticeships website www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.
Black Country Impact provides one-to-one customised support and training for young people in Wolverhampton who are aged 16-plus and not in employment, education or training. It helps them overcome the barriers that may be stopping them from finding and securing training, education or a job. For more details, please visit www.wolvesworkbox.com/impact.
Councillor Hardacre added: “If you haven't quite decided what to do next, don't panic – there are plenty of doors open to you, and plenty of support out there to help you make the right choice including from your school or Connexions Wolverhampton.”
