Dear Year 11 Parents and Carers,

 

This is one of those letters that I really didn’t want to write.

I am sure that you are eagerly following national developments as much as I am. We live in challenging times.

The Government has made the decision to cancel the May and June exam season. This is unprecedented but you and your child should be reassured that the Government has indicated that pupils will get the qualifications they need.

Currently what we have been told is “Teachers will provide grades for their pupils which exam boards will then combine with other information such as prior attainment to calculate a final grade. The aim is to provide the calculated grades to students before the end of July. …Pupils will have a chance to re-sit an exam if they don’t feel the grade is fair.”

 I understand fully that the cancellation of exams has caused significant anxiety for pupils. This has been exacerbated by the lack of clarity about how final grades will be awarded and the closure of all schools during this national emergency.

Some staff will be in the Academy throughout the closure. These staff will be available to answer your questions and support with your child’s progression to post-16 education.

Ending Year 11 so bluntly does not sit easy with me. We have tried to mitigate against this by giving pupils the traditional ‘Bishop Farewell’. We have had time together sharing breakfast, photographs of when the pupils were younger, the teachers ‘Good Luck’ video and of course the opportunity to thank Mr Williams for all he has done to support Year 11. You should know that this was a truly memorable and emotional occasion. The pupils rose above the chaos of circumstances beyond their control and acted with good humour, dignity and maturity throughout the last minute celebrations. The pupils were a credit to themselves, their families and the Academy.

I have promised the pupils that the Year 11 Prom will still take place. The date will need to be confirmed and God willing will be in the early autumn. This will be a time for pupils to celebrate their time at ‘Bishop’ and to share their successes in final grades and swop stories about their new experiences at 6^th Form or college.

For those of you who are key workers, or have vulnerable children, they are still welcome to access the provision we are putting in place. Please see the separate letter for more details.

I wish your child every success in the future. It has been a pleasure to have them as part of the ’Bishop’.

You and your families will remain in our prayers.

 

Best wishes,

Paul Mc