“As in every year the vast majority of our students have achieved the grades they needed to secure their places at university or their higher level apprenticeships. The college is however, bitterly disappointed, indeed outraged, at the number of grades adjusted downwards following the algorithm implemented by OFQUAL” said Head of Sixth Form Rhianne Bond.
A significant number of grades are well below not only the teacher and centre agreed grades (CAGs) but also the rigorous mock exam results taken one month before lockdown which traditionally underestimates student outcomes. The college plans to submit an appeal on behalf of the whole cohort based on the premise that our historical data does not reflect the cohort’s ability, changes in college and departmental leadership, nor the rapid improvements made by Barrow Hall College over the last two years. Headteacher, Mr Shannon has already been in contact with the senior staff of the Association of School and College Leaders to make them aware of his serious concerns so that they can be relayed to the Department for Education and form part of our robust submission.
Mrs Bond explained “We are of course supporting our students in every way we can including contacting universities and clearing to share the CAG and mock grades and asking them to hold places whilst the appeals are processed and waiving fees for any who chose to resist in the Autumn term. Despite our obvious frustrations we are incredibly proud of our Year 13 students for their remarkable resilience and strength of character they have demonstrated over the last few months. They are a credit to themselves, their families and the school and we will continue to support them in the coming months as they begin their studies and careers.”
A further update on KS5 results can be found on our Exams page.