I hope today is a day to celebrate for many of you getting your A level results in South Derbyshire. It has been an unusual year for you and I can appreciate how hard you have all worked and how disappointing it was for some of you not to have sat your exams this year. We have done all we can to ensure that each and every one of you is treated fairly and is not disadvantaged due to the coronavirus.
We have introduced a triple lock to give students a safety net. Each student can accept the calculated grade they receive today or ask their college or school to appeal, including on the basis of a valid mock result or they can choose to sit an exam in the autumn.
The grades received today will be based on the judgement of your schools or college and then moderated by the exam boards to ensure equal standards. Everything has been done to give you all the fairest results possible and ensure no one is disadvantaged, whether they are going to university, starting an apprenticeship, a placement or seeking employment.
I understand that not everyone will get the results they were hoping for, and, if that is the case, I would encourage you to speak to your school or college who will have staff waiting to help. I know disappointing results can seem like the end of the world, but it really isn’t, it is just a hiccup in the road, and, using the help available other possibilities will open up.
Ofqual has published guidance, including a student guide athttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/your-results-what-next, which outlines how the process works and what students’ next steps might be, including if they are unhappy with their results. A national Exam Results Helpline will be operating between 8am and 10pm from 13 to 28 August for young people or their parents to speak to a professionally qualified careers adviser who can give guidance on their next steps. The number for this is 0800 100 900.
I wish all of you well in whatever path you choose to follow.
