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Published on Thursday 20 August 2020

Year 11 students who have attended the schools and colleges in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will receive their GCSE results today. However, students that also studied for BTec qualifications will have to wait before their results are released due to a last minute decision by the awarding body to re-grade BTecs in line with GCSEs.

This year has been an unusual and challenging year for students in Year 11. They have worked hard throughout their GCSE and BTec courses, however, due to Covid-19, their exams were cancelled and their grades have been assessed differently this year.

Since 2019, all GCSEs are graded 9–1, rather than A*–G, with grade 5 considered a good pass and grade 9 being the highest and set above the previous A* grade. BTec courses are graded from Dist* - Pass

During May, each school was asked to estimate the grade that students would have achieved for every subject they were entered for. They used evidence of recent achievement, mock examination or coursework marks/grades to create a Centre Assessed Grade (CAG) ready to be put through an algorithm by Ofqual to create moderated grades. Following pressure from students, parents and teachers, Ofqual have announced this week that due to the problems with the fairness of the algorithm that they had created, they will now be using the Centre Assessed Grades as the basis of both A-Level and GCSE awards. Students will be awarded the higher of the two grades: the CAG or the Ofqual algorithm grade.

Councillor Sandra Moore, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families said:

"I would like to congratulate all students in the BCP Council area on their GCSE results this year. I am aware of how hard Year 11s have worked and how disappointed they were not to be able to complete their courses in the usual way. Both the council and schools are very proud of the mature way pupils have reacted to those difficult circumstances, and I wish them well in their post-16 plans.

"The council would like to thank teachers and school and college leaders, who worked very hard to assess your work fairly in all subjects; whilst looking after many key worker children and vulnerable pupils throughout lockdown.

"We hope you received the grades that you had hoped for. Your schools have colleagues standing by to support you and we are publishing all of the national and local support that is available."

Many students will continue their studies in sixth form at schools or FE colleges and other education providers. Other students will move on to an apprenticeship or work placement with training.

Most schools in the BCP Council area have offered opportunities for students to collect results in person or to have a 1:1 support meeting to discuss future options. The following organisations will be able to provide guidance and support.

National Careers Service

Flying Start Dorset

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