Dear Parents and Carers

I hope you all managed to have some downtime at the weekend and enjoyed some of the sunshine we experienced over the weekend.

Year 11 and Year 13 Examination Consultation

I wanted to let you know that the government and Ofqual have launched their consultation on examinations for year 11 and year 13.  I know not everyone has children in year 11 and year 13, but I would be grateful if  as many parents and carers, as possible, could complete the questionnaire that has been issued by Ofqual.

The consultation proposes that although the government has cancelled summer examinations this year in favour of centre assessed grades, that they still want to propose using some external assessments to decide the centre assessed grades.

Many students have missed school due to illness or self-isolation or have missed learning in real time because their teachers have been ill or self-isolating, which makes assessment very challenging this year for all schools.

We are again back in a position where face to face lessons in school are not possible due to the third lockdown.  This means that across our student body there have been a range of experiences caused by the pandemic, and therefore,

we would prefer any assessments sat by students to be devised by the school, based on GCSE examination guidance, because we know the best way to support and assess our young people.  The consultation is seeking your views on this.

I have attached the consultation document link, and also a link for the questionnaire.  The response can be done anonymously if you wish.  I hope as many parents and carers as possible will try to complete the form.  The consultation period ends on Friday, 29 January, at 23:45, and details of examination arrangements will then follow from the Department for Education, the questionnaire takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Link to  consultation document:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/953000/6743-1_GCSE__AS_and_A_level_grades_should_be_awarded_in_summer_2021.pdf

Link to survey:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8BYI4T/

Team Heworth Celebrations

On a lighter note, for the next edition of Heworth Headlines I would like to celebrate `Team Heworth’.

In particular, I would like to celebrate our students as they have been working so hard and to do this I need your help.  You can get involved by sending an email to enquiries@heworthgrange.org.uk  with a short sentence about how your child or children have helped at home during this lockdown.  It might be as simple as them getting up on time without you having to ask or helping with siblings, making a cup of tea or completing the remote learning without a fuss.  This is part of our Heworth Grange “know your worth” initiative and something we hope will help to emphasise the importance of looking after each other during this challenging time.

All nominations will appear in the next Heworth Headlines and can be anonymous if you feel your child is a little bashful!

Thank you in advance for your support with this, as Team Heworth, we can make a greater difference.

Yours sincerely

Headteacher

Allie Denholm