Update on Awarding of Grades Summer 2021 for Year 11 & 13 Students

Update 20-1-21

On the ‘Parent & Carers’ –> Letters Home page we have uploaded the latest letter, which was emailed to Year 11 & 13 parent/carers and students on the 20th January. This details the government’s current plans for the awarding of grades this summer.

Following the announcement regarding the cancellation of the summer 2021 examinations for GCSE and A-level subjects, Ofqual and the DfE has now released a joint consultation on how grades should be awarded this academic year. A copy of the consultation document can be accessed via the link below and more details are in the communication sent out earlier today:

• Consultation on how GCSE, AS and A level grades should be awarded in summer 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Update 13-1-21

Please read the letter and where relevant the accompanying document regarding Lateral Flow Tests and an update on Critical Worker & Vulnerable Children In-School Provision.

• COVID-19 Letter Update 13th January 2021
• GMS Lateral Flow Test Consent Form & Privacy Notice

Update 6-1-21

Please see the new letter regarding current procedures at GMS in the ‘Parent & Carers’ –> Letters Home page. This was emailed to everyone on the 6th January and covers important topics.

Update 31-12-20

Please see attached the letter emailed out to all parent/carers today (31st December 2020), detailing the school’s arrangements for start of the new term on the 4th January 2021. It is vital you read the letter in its entirety and complete the online form (linked in the letter), if applicable to you.

• Arrangements for the New Term 4th January 2021

We wish you a safe and happy new year.

Update 18-12-20

There have been extra-ordinary announcements made via the media in the last 24 hours on the changing guidance and arrangements for schools for the 4th January 2021. The announcements are ‘extra-ordinary’ due to their timing for schools, parents/carers and their lack of detail and clarity which makes it very difficult for us as a school to commit to a clear plan for the 4th January at this point.

It does look like, provided the guidance does not change or there is a significant change in the local situation, that students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 will be carrying out remote learning from home for the school week 4th January to 8th January. The exception to this are children who have been identified as vulnerable or the children of key workers, who will be able to attend school from the 4th January. In addition, all students who are sitting an external examination in school during the spring or summer term 2021 can also attend school from the 4th.

We will communicate on or before the 30th December with the latest available information on Great Marlow’s arrangements for all students for the 4th January.

The announcements around mass testing being carried out in schools is the area with no clarity at this stage and at this point GMS is not in a position to communicate any information on this area. It is high likely that any further detail on the arrangements for possible mass testing at Great Marlow School will not be communicated to parents/ carers until after the 4th January.

We hope you have a very enjoyable and safe Christmas.