Hi everyone,

As you know the UK’s education secretary Gavin Williamson has just made an announcement. The exams have been cancelled for students who are sitting GCSEs and A Levels.

I know lots of people are sitting IGCSEs and the IB as well as various exam boards around the world. Unfortunately there is no information for them yet. No statement has been made about the IB or IGCSEs but I do think that our government will take that into consideration.

Lots of you are disappointed at the idea of not being able to sit your exams and worried how your grades will be accredited. The current understanding is that it will be very heavily teacher assessed so it’ll be based on how they think you’ve been over the last one or two years. Obviously they will  have to use lots of data in order to back up their thoughts and you need to make sure that you continue to work really hard.

I know it’s demoralizing. I know it’s been so awful for you guys and I can’t reiterate enough how much I’m sorry that you’ve been put in this situation but I do want you to continue working hard.

 If you’ve got mocks coming up, there’ll be further general assessments even if they’re not specified as being mocks. Your teachers need as much data as possible. Don’t underestimate any task you are given and take every homework as if they are mock exams. So you need to keep that in mind and study accordingly as you don’t have much time till May and June.

I know everyone has reeled from the announcement and as I said previously I’m super sorry that  you are experiencing this.

I’m pretty sure if you’re not happy with the grades that you’re given in the summer, you’ll probably have a chance to sit the exams again in autumn like they did last year. You need to know that nothing is set in stone but I don’t think they will cancel them. There’ll always be other exam seasons in the coming years. There’s always an alternative

Please do not panic. Once again I’m so sorry that you’ve been put in this terrible situation.

 Honestly my heart goes out to you.