Update from the Principal – Year 13

I hope you have all enjoyed the last few weeks back in college and are looking forward to an Easter break. As I am sure you know we have all been waiting for the final guidance from exam boards as to how exam grades will be awarded this year. At the time of writing this guidance hasn’t been issued, however, we know enough from Ofqual’s announcements to provide you all with information on how the college plans to award grades this year.

Before I do that let me reassure you all, we are being requested to award results that are in line with the college’s performance in previous years. As our previous performance has consistently been outstanding, we will award grades that reflect this.

Grades will be awarded based on a basket of evidence. Cardinal Newman’s basket of evidence will include:

– CAP5 Assessment.  An assessment based on exam board materials focusing on the parts of the specification the Head of Subject is confident students have covered comprehensively, this will not be the whole of the specification. Subjects will tell students in advance the topics to be assessed to aid their revision.

– Standardised subject based assessments – if any are to be completed and included over the next few weeks then students will be told and given sufficient time to prepare. This category may also include CAP4 and CAP4 TEG and other CAPs as appropriate.

– Coursework/practical units

Subjects will let students know specifically what is in their basket of evidence.

This time of year always involves a feeling of insecurity without the impact of a pandemic so please if you need support or information talk to any member of staff and we will help. Remember we are on your side and we will do our best to get you all the grades you deserve.

Enjoy your Easter.

Nick Burnham
Principal