Dear Grade 10,11,12,13 Parents,
I wish to clarify the situation concerning the (I) GCSE and International Advanced Level examinations as there are some interesting interpretations of these on social media. I am the Head of the Centre, appointed by Pearson and Cambridge in the UK to act in that role, the information I obtain is exactly what will happen and the last official update arrived on 14th April. Examinations sent from the examination boards are cancelled, however the assessments for the final grade were not.
What does this mean?
1.GCSE examinations are those that would be taken by schools in the UK. FPA uses these in Mathematics and Sciences are we consider them to better serve the needs of our students. Only the Pearson Board is used for these by this school.
2.IGCSE in all other subjects from the Pearson Board except Literature in English which due to acceptable content is from Cambridge International Examinations.
The difference between the GCSE and IGCSE is not the level but how the examination procedures are moderated. The Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson Boards both have high standards of quality assurance; however, the GCSE is also moderated by the UK government through its office of qualifications (OFQAL). Not all schools outside the UK can offer GCSE but our school has been deemed to be acceptable to do so, but there are parts of course content in other subjects that may not be acceptable in this culture, so we do not use them.
What is the way forward?
1.IGCSE’s– the school will provide evidence of the students’ performance and will decide which items these will be. It needs to be the same evidence for the entire group taking that syllabus and is not selected for individual students. These are then submitted to the examination board who mark them. The students will be required to prepare for these and take these assessments in school as this gives the highest level of authenticity. We may also use work completed during the course which will be evaluated by Pearson.
2.GCSE ‘s –Non examination assessments-NEA these are orals in Arabic Second language and the coursework element of Art and Design. Use of these will allow the students to be given a GCSE award and grade. There are no NEA’s for Mathematics and Sciences so these subjects will be awarded IGCSE ‘s based on the portfolio route.
3. IGCSE French, English Second Language and English First Language orals will be completed in examination conditions using the material and guidelines of Pearson. Practical assessment of IGCSE ICT will also take place under examination conditions. Again, these will be moderated by the examination board.
4.International Advanced Levels Grade 12 & G13- Evidence for each module is required and teachers will inform students of what that involves. Portfolios of evidence will be used to obtain the final grade. The practical element of IT will also be taken under exam conditions.
The next four weeks are critical, and students need to attend school so they can take the oral and practical examinations and complete more material for assessment to maximise their performance, regrettably distance learning is not a comparable alternative. Should there be a change in the current situation how the school addresses the above would be amended.
Thanking you for your kind co-operation in this matter.
Regards,
Jan Brettingham Ms
Principal