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Hi everyone

Welcome back to the second half of the spring term and it's certainly set to be a busy one as you prepare to welcome back your students for face to face teaching and learning from 8 March.

Since GCSE, AS and A Level exams were cancelled in January, you and your students have been waiting to hear how grades would be awarded this summer. The DfE and Ofqual have announced how students will get results for GCSEs, AS and A Levels and vocational qualifications including our Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals. We've highlighted some of the key points for GCSEs, AS and A Levels and Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals for you.

We understand you will have many questions about what has been announced and we don’t have all the answers yet but we’ll be providing you with an update on our guidance on 5 March 2021.

We're also pleased to confirm more details about summer 2021 entries invoicing for general qualifications and Cambridge Nationals - full details are in the article below.

In other news, we’re delighted to announce we’ve submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual, our suite of redeveloped Cambridge Nationals qualifications for consideration on key stage 4 performance tables in England for 2024.  You’re invited to join us on 10 March to hear more about the redevelopment and it's a great opportunity to ask us any questions.

Have you looked at our GCSE (9-1) maths qualification recently? Our exam papers support Foundation students in particular, with clear, concise statements using words that students will find familiar and straightforward layouts. Take another look below.  

As part of our ongoing support for you, don't forget our Teacher Network events. You can discuss teaching and assessment and ask our Subject Advisors questions.

As always, we’re here to support you. Have a lovely weekend.

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How students taking GCSEs, AS and A Levels will get results this summer
3 students in a classroom

Since GCSE, AS and A Level exams were cancelled in January, teachers and students have been waiting to hear how grades would be awarded this summer. The DfE and Ofqual have now announced how GCSE, AS and A Level students will get results.

This applies to students taking Extended Project Qualifications as well.

We want to enable your students to progress with results that are as fair as possible. We’re committed to working collaboratively with schools and colleges and providing the detailed support and guidance you need so the process of determining student grades is clear and is manageable alongside your teaching. We’ll be providing you with an update on our guidance on 5 March 2021.

We know you’re busy so we’ve highlighted some of the key points from the consultation outcomes for you along with a timeline.

To explain the arrangements to students, parent and carers, we've produced a short video that you can share and Simon Lebus, Chief Regulator of Ofqual has also provided a summary along with an infographic. 

Key points   Ofqual outcomes
How students taking Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals will get results in summer 2021

The DfE and Ofqual have announced the arrangements to be put in place this summer to give results to your students taking vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) as well as other general qualifications. We’re pleased to confirm that your students taking Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals, as well as other general qualifications, will receive grades based on teacher judgements this summer. This is similar to the arrangements for GCSEs and A Levels.
Happy student receiving exam results

We’ve highlighted the key consultation decisions for you along with a timeline.

Thank you for your patience as these processes are finalised. We are committed to supporting you with detailed guidance on the key steps and deadlines over the coming weeks, to make this as manageable as possible for you alongside your teaching. We’ll be providing you with an update on our guidance on 5 March 2021.

Key points   Ofqual outcomes
Summer 2021 fees: invoicing update
Happy teacher at desk

In January, we confirmed our summer 2021 fees for our general and vocational qualifications.

To support school and colleges further, we can now confirm we won't be charging any late fees until after Monday 15 March 2021, giving you time to digest the outcomes of the Ofqual and DfE consultations. 

We'll be delaying our summer 2021 entries invoicing for general qualifications and Cambridge Nationals for three weeks.

We’re committed to passing back any savings from this summer in the form of a rebate and we will provide further information on this as soon as we can.

If you haven't yet made your entries for AS and A Level, GCSE, Entry Level Certificate, FSMQ, Level 3 Certificate Core Maths, Extended Project and also Cambridge Nationals qualifications, we’d encourage you to do so by 15 March 2021.

For support on which entries to make for vocational qualifications, please see our FAQs for Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals.

If you are supporting private candidates, we have extended the entry deadline until 21 March. Please see our latest FAQs.
Cambridge Nationals - redeveloped for first teaching September 2022

We’re delighted to announce we’ve reached a major milestone and have submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual, our suite of redeveloped Cambridge Nationals qualifications for consideration on key stage 4 performance tables in England for 2024.

Cambridge Nationals are Technical Award qualifications for 14-16 year olds for first teaching September 2022.
Cambridge Nationals for first teaching in 2022

A huge thanks to everyone who has been actively involved in shaping these qualifications, making them exciting and engaging to teach and for students to study.

You can download our draft specifications now for an early look at any changes to topic areas and our approach to terminal assessment.

Grab a coffee (or tea) and join our launch event on 10 March 2021 to hear more about our approach and ask any questions you have.

Register your place   Draft specifications and sample materials
GCSE (9-1) Maths for all
GCSE Maths for all

Our GCSE (9-1) Maths exam papers contain clear, concise statements with words that students find familiar. They also have a straightforward layout, which makes them easily accessible for students of all abilities.

Foundation students in particular can feel confident they will be tested on their maths with questions presented in a clear and understandable way for them.

We have a programme of ongoing support to help you prepare all your students for success. This includes:

  • Assessment support
  • Planning and teaching resources
  • Textbooks
  • Cambridge support
  • Expert subject advice from our Subject Advisors

GCSE Maths for all
Upcoming Teacher Networks

Our free teacher networks will provide you with a fantastic opportunity to discuss your subject with our subject advisors and like-minded colleagues in your local area.

They allow you to discuss teaching and assessment, share ideas and best practice and build supportive networks.
Teachers at a meeting

Teacher networks are designed to be teacher-led with our subject advisors on hand to facilitate and answer questions. They are also a great opportunity to share your passion for your subject and pick up tips from your colleagues.

If you would like to host a teacher network at your centre, please get in touch with us at networks@ocr.org.uk
For more details, and a full listing of events, check out our teacher networks page.

Find a Teacher Network

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