The Isle of Wight Council is congratulating all GCSE students for their hard work and achievements over the 2020/2021 academic year, and their ongoing resilience despite the challenges caused by COVID-19.
Cabinet lead for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, Cllr Debbie Andre, said,
“It has been another challenging year for students, parents and our teaching staff alike. With the disruption caused by lockdowns, students and school staff having to self-isolate at various points over the year, and the changes to the GCSE process, it’s been inspiring to see how everyone has rallied round and overcome these adversities.
“I wish to thank parents and carers for the support they have given their young people during this time, and I am also deeply grateful to all secondary school staff for the additional work they have shouldered this year to ensure pupils could be properly assessed for their GCSEs. Schools have informed us about some wonderful achievements – my heartfelt congratulations to you all.”
Impact of Covid-19
Last year, public examinations were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and pupils were therefore awarded 2019/2020 GCSE results based on an assessment by their teachers. This year, public examinations have again been cancelled and 2020/2021 GCSEs grades have been based on a revised teacher assessment process introduced by Ofqual – the body responsible for regulating GCSEs and A Levels – in February 2021.
This has meant that a considerable amount of additional work needed to be undertaken by both teachers and pupils to enable GCSE equivalent grades to be accurately determined in the absence of external examinations.
Support for young people
Any young person who has received their results and needs help or advice about their next options can speak to their school’s careers advisor or contact Island Futures – the council’s career advice service for young people – email [email protected] or call (01983) 823888. You call also visit the Island Futures website, which has information and advice for an extensive range of careers.
On results day (Thursday 12thy August) and on Friday 13th August, Island Futures – the Isle of Wight Council’s careers advice service for young people – will also be operating a GCSE phone line, between 9am and 5pm, that young people can call for advice: 01983 823888 or email [email protected].
Mental Health support
Students who may be feeling uncertain, anxious or stressed about their future as they move on to college, employment or training can also seek support from Young Minds who will help to encourage them to look after their mental health and identify when to ask for help.
Additional mental health and wellbeing resources for young people, including local support services and free message services, can be found on the Isle of Wight Community Mental Health Website
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
