What are Teacher Assessed Grades and how will students be graded in 2021?

THIS year’s students have suffered more disruption than any cohort since the Second World War, say school leaders.

No exams could take place this year due to the coronavirus lockdown causing school closures.

What are Teacher Assessed Grades?

Thousands of A-level students in England will receive their predicted grade on Tuesday, August 10 2021.

GCSE pupils will receive their results two days later, on August 12.

Grades have been determined by teachers, with pupils only assessed on what they have been taught during the pandemic.

Decisions about the final grades are evidence-based and might include tests, class work, mock examinations etc.

Evidence covers a range of topics to demonstrate a student’s breadth of knowledge.

No algorithm has been used.

Each school’s headteacher has had to sign off the results.

How will students be graded in 2021?

Teachers have submitted grades to the exam boards, based on their assessment of what students have shown they know and can do.

Qualification grades indicate what a person who holds the qualification knows, understands and can do, and to what standard.

Grades have been determined by teachers’ judgement.

A range of evidence has been used, such as mocks, tests and work already done.

The grades in 2021 have been determined by teachers.

Then, following quality assurance, the results are being issued by the exam boards, which remain accountable for the results.

The exam boards will record the grades on certificates in the same way as in previous years.

Ofqual interim chief regulator Simon Lebus said there have been three stages of checks to ensure students can feel they have been “fairly treated”.

This included Ofqual checking the policies that schools have for awarding grades and exam boards looking over them.

But, for students unhappy with the outcome, Ofqual advises you first speak to your school or college to understand on what basis you can and can’t appeal your results.

How will students find out their results?

You can pick up your A-level results anytime from 8am, or whenever your school or college opens on the day.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) oversees the application process to universities.

It has said that A-level students can access their results on the Track portal from 8.30am on Tuesday, August 10.

The system will be very busy, so you might need to be patient to find out whether you’ve been successful, advises the Uni Guide.

What should you do if you miss out?

Ucas says: “Hopefully you’ll get the exam grades you need, but if you just miss out, the university or college might accept you anyway.

“You might be offered an alternative by the university/college – a ‘changed course offer’, which you’ll need to accept or decline.

“Or, you might not get a place, but you can search through our Clearing service to see what courses still have vacancies.

“If no decisions are showing, give your universities or colleges a call to find out more.”

The Uni Guide adds that if your grades are much lower than predicted, “before you panic, check Track – you may still have an offer.

“If the university hasn’t made a decision yet, phone them to discuss your situation.

“Realising that neither your firm or insurance university will accept you can be very hard, especially if you’re surrounded by friends who are celebrating their success.

“Your school has seen students in exactly this position before and can help.

“Don’t fall into the trap of thinking ‘my entire life is over’.

“If neither your firm nor insurance choice has offered you a place, you could decide to apply for a new course through Ucas Clearing.”

Other options include:

• Take your A-level exams in the autumn
• Take your A-levels next summer and reapply for next year’s entry to uni
• Forget about uni for the moment and either get a job, go to college to do a non-degree course, or do a traineeship or apprenticeship.
• Or, if you’ve received your exam results (A-levels, GCSEs, Scottish Highers and Standards) and need advice on what to do next, call the Exam Results Helpline for free, independent advice on 0800 100 900.

What is Clearing?

Clearing offers you a chance to find a full time undergraduate course to start this September.

Thousands of students find their university place through Clearing every year, so you won’t be alone in exploring your options, says Birmingham City.

A university will publish a list of the courses which have places available to start in the coming September.

As soon as you have your results, you can apply for the course either online (from July until mid August) or by calling the university’s Clearing hotline which opens on A Level/BTEC Results Day – Tuesday August 10.

When is GCSE results day 2021?

This year’s GCSE results are released to students on August 12.

Grades are usually available from 8am.