Last week the government published the outcome of the consultation on awarding vocational qualifications this summer. We have provided more information on how we will implement these plans at Shrewsbury Colleges Group over the next four months to ensure that the hard work of students and their commitment is rewarded with the grade they deserve.
Arrangements for each qualification
Students are studying a range of different types of qualifications and the arrangements are different for each group of qualifications. Read the information below carefully and ask teachers or personal tutor if some further explanation is needed.
1. Vocational Diplomas (BTEC, CTEC and UAL)
Students studying:
- Art and Design, Fashion and Photography at English Bridge
- Applied Science Extended Diploma at Welsh Bridge
- Business, Computing, Creative Media, Engineering, Health and Social Care, IT, Music Technology, Outdoor Activities, Performing Arts, Public Services, Sport (including Football and Rugby pathways), Travel and Tourism at London Road
Students will complete the course content specification as planned and they will complete all the planned units. In some courses, the number of units required to be assessed has already been reduced by the exam board. Teachers will have already let students know if that is the case.
The final grade will be based on the grades from each unit of the course.
There will be no external exams. If students have already taken external exams earlier in the year the result will count towards their overall grade. If they had intended to resit the exam, they will be able to sit an internal assessment which will be marked by their teacher and moderated internally. This grade will go towards their overall qualification grade if it a higher grade than the original exam.
We will confirm to students when the last day of term is once we have further information from the exam boards regarding when they want grading information submitted.
Results will be published on 10 August for Level 3 courses and on 12 August for Level 1 and Level 2 courses.
2. Childcare and Education courses
Final decisions have not been taken regarding what evidence is required to demonstrate competency. This is because these qualifications allow students to work in the Childcare and Education sectors and they need to have demonstrated the right skills at the right level. Teachers will provide students with more information once the decisions are taken by the exam board.
3. Qualifications with occupational skills or proficiency assessments
Students studying:
• Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery, Painting and Decorating, Electrical, Plumbing
• Construction at Level 1 (not the BTEC in Construction)
• Beauty and Hair
• Catering and Hospitality
• Motor Vehicle
• Engineering Fabrication and Welding (not the BTEC in Engineering)
Students will complete the course content specification by the end of the college year, which is Friday 9 July. Their assessments will continue as normal wherever possible so students can demonstrate that they have the practical occupational skills necessary to work in the industry.
4. GCSE English Language and maths
Students will complete the course content specification. All GCSE courses will finish by Friday 21 May. GCSE results will be published on 12 August.
5. Functional Skills and ESOL
Students will complete their course as planned. They will take the exams when they are ready to take the exam, as agreed with their teacher. If students are unable to take the exam the teacher will award them a Teacher Assessed Grade (TAG). The teacher will award the TAG based on the evidence of the students’ work this year.
How will the grades be calculated?
Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) will be awarded to students this year as there will be no formal external exams. TAGs will be based on work completed to date over the last year and further assessments completed between now and the end of the academic year.
In each subject, the teacher will provide students with information on the specific assessments which will take place between now and the end of the academic year. This information will be provided by the end of March at the latest.
The assessments will be appropriate to the individual subject, and therefore the number and type of assessment will differ by subject. Some assessments may need to be completed in college in lessons and some may need to be completed at home. They may also include completing the coursework set by your teachers depending on what is appropriate for the individual subject.
Where assessments include work to be completed in timed conditions in lessons, normal access arrangements will be made. For example, additional time or the use of a scribe or reader. Arrangements will be made for students who are self-isolating to complete the assessments at home
Assessments will need to be moderated within teaching teams. Moderation will take place throughout the period of March to May. Moderation of final assessments and of overall grades will take place from Monday 24 May to ensure the college can meet the deadline of 18 June to submit all grades to the exam boards.
Will students be told their TAGs in advance?
Teachers will not be able to share the TAG with students and we ask that students do not ask as their teacher as they will not be able to provide this information.
We hope this information reassures students regarding the arrangements for the rest of the year. It has been an exceptional set of circumstances students have faced. Our students have responded brilliantly in terms of attendance on campus and during remote learning. Student’s commitment to their studies and the progress they have been making is also fantastic. It is very important that students continue to do their best as the work they complete will inform their final grade. We are sure that they will continue to respond to the challenges they have faced and that they will achieve the grades that they deserve.