Year 11 Vocational Exams - Update

6^th January 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Examination Series – January 2021

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new lockdown and the news that schools and colleges will close to the majority of pupils, we have been following the guidance from the exam boards and the Department for Education (DfE) to understand what this means for vocational exams scheduled for January.

The DfE yesterday gave schools the choice to continue with vocational exams in January, should they judge it right to do so. After giving this much consideration I have decided that it is not appropriate in the current National Lockdown, for your child to be expected to come into school and sit an examination. Moving forward we will explore all options to ensure your child achieves their full potential in their vocational qualification.

This is a decision that all schools across the Wade Deacon Trust have taken, as have many schools locally and nationally. I appreciate this must be a very difficult time for you and your child and I can only offer my apologies for the timing; I am sure you understand the very little notice we have been given by the DfE throughout this period.

Every decision I make has the best interest of your child at heart. I understand this decision may be disappointing for some pupils but please reassure your child that this will not be detrimental to their progress.

Yours faithfully

Mrs A Ryan