Qualification Contingency Plan 2022
Contingency Planning for Qualifications in 2022
This centre assessment plan is designed to outline grades for approved GCSEs, AS and A levels, in the event of examinations being cancelled. The information is not intended to detract from the current policy position for examinations to be undertaken in summer 2022 and is being shared to provide students and parents/carers with confidence in the plans in place, such a cancellation take place.
A centre determined grade is not the same as a target or predicted grade. These grades are awarded on the basis of attainment demonstrated as opposed to potential ability.
The plan only applies to those qualifications GCSE, AS and A level, which are regulated in Wales. For the very few qualifications outside of this remit, and regulated by Ofqual, the school will apply the relevant guidance once it is published.
By sharing its approach, the school is seeking to offer clarity and confidence to students, staff and families. Furthermore, it provides an overview on the decisions teachers will make; how teachers will make these decisions; and identify the evidence teachers will be utilising to support the decision-making process.
Centre Determined Grades
A Centre Determined Grade is the grade awarded by the school, as an examination centre, on the basis of attainment which has been demonstrated in the areas of the qualification content that a student has covered. For each qualification, teachers will make use of WJEC Assessment Frameworks which include descriptors for key grades to support the accurate distribution of awards. Each grade awarded by the school must be underpinned by robust evidence to demonstrate a student’s attainment across key themes and skills. These will vary per qualification, as determined by the requirements of each WJEC Qualification Assessment Frameworks. It will not be possible or permitted for teachers, or the school, to attempt to issue a Centre Determined Grade based on professional prediction or the potential of a student. Teachers will be required to apply their professional judgement and decide whether the knowledge and skills demonstrated meets the usual standard for a specified grade.
In determining grades, the school will be required to make ‘best-fit’ judgements. This means that students are not required to demonstrate all aspects of a grade descriptor to be awarded the grade; students should be awarded a grade which supports evidence of attainment across sufficient breadth of content, within the specified qualification, as determined by WJEC; and may achieve the same grades by demonstrating different combinations of knowledge, skills and understanding. This ensures that strengths in some areas counterbalance shortcomings in others. As a result, the ‘best-fit’ grade may be awarded. Where there is insufficient evidence, or where evidence suggest attainment is below that required of the lowest grade for a qualification (ie. G grade at GCSE; E grade at AS/A level) then a student will be awarded a Centre Determined Grade of U.
The evidence used for Centre-Determined Grades
Evidence will be used from the following sources to help determine an overall centre determined grade, in the event of examinations being cancelled, using the following evidence
- Mock Examinations
These will be undertaken under examination conditions to replicate an ordinary examination series. Each qualification will provide a paper based on actual ‘past-paper’ questions, which cover the adaptations in place for 2022. The mock examination will be weighted to support teachers to make accurate decisions relating to performance.
- Non-Examination Assessments (where relevant)
Non-Examination Assessment is an important element of many qualifications, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and application of skills. Adaptations to Non-Examination Assessments have been applied and will be weighted accordingly.
- Up to three mini-assessments
Throughout the academic year, up to a maximum of three mini-assessments will be undertaken to help support coverage of the specification. These will be based on actual ‘past-paper’ questions, which cover the adaptations for 2022. These will generate a combined weighting to support teachers to make accurate decisions relating to performance.
Quality Assurance Processes
In line with usual practices, WJEC will require internal processes to be undertaken to promote consistency. The school will undertake quality assurance processes, within subjects and across subjects, to ensure the grades determined are valid, reliable, equitable and fair, while seeking to avoid discrimination.
Recording Decisions
The school will keep a record to document clearly the rationale for grade decisions. This will include clarity of explanation which students and their parents/carers will understand. Decision records will detail who assessed the evidence and when; the decision taken; identification of any reasonable adjustments or special considerations applied; and where the evidence is safely stored. On submission of a Centre Determined Grade, the school will be required to make an overall declaration in relation to the processes carried out.
Public Sector Equality Duty and Data Processessing
In developing an approach to centre determined grades in 2022, the school has taken steps to ensure it meets its Public Sector Equality Duty. This is a legal requirement and forms part of the Equality Act (2010), which ensures due regard to the need to
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act (2010);
- Advance equality and opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and
- Foster good relations between people who share relevant protected characteristics and those who do not.
The school will ensure it meets data protection and processing regulations. This may result in modifications to existing policies and practices. However, it is anticipated that joint examination regulators may coordinate this to provide assurances that data is handled appropriately and for the intended purpose.