Exam Appeals

Earlier this year, the government announced that students would not take formal GCSE exams this summer and will instead be awarded grades determined by their teachers' judgements, based on a range of evidence including mock exams, coursework, in class assessments and any other relevant information.

We have taken multiple steps to make sure these grades reflect students’ performance. Our teachers have received clear guidance and support with grading and making objective decisions to enable grades to be fair. Our Centre Policy is on our website.

There is also a rigorous system to ensure fairness in place, including checks in schools and colleges, and by awarding organisations.

If you think an error has been made in the grade awarded, an appeals system is in place as a safety net for exceptional circumstances, and to fix any genuine errors that were not identified earlier in the process.

If you think a grade is incorrect when you receive the results, please contact Mr Burchett (Paul.Burchett@kingsacademies.uk) in the first instance and request a centre review – an internal review by us - so we can check for any administrative errors.

You will need to complete and submit, section “Stage one - Centre Review, A. Student request ” in the form “JCQ_Appeals-Guidance_Summer-2021_Appendix-B.pdf” which can be downloaded from the list of files below. This will lead to an internal review and the result of this will be passed on to you. If you cannot fit your explanation for requesting an appeal in the section provided please feel free to do it in a separate document. 

If you still think the grade is incorrect after we have reviewed it, you can ask us to escalate your appeal to the awarding organisation. You should be aware that on appeal, grades could go up, down, or stay the same and the awarding organisation’s decision will be final. In this case you will need to complete the “Stage two – appeal to awarding organisation” section. 

You should consider carefully if appealing is the right course of action for you. An appeal will only be successful if either an error is found in the administrative process or the grade awarded, or selection of evidence, is found to be an unreasonable exercise of academic judgement.

The exam boards will not be able to consider appeals that are based solely on differences of opinion.

Once a finding has been made you cannot withdraw your request for a centre review or appeal. If the grade has been lowered, you will not be able to revert to the original grade you received on results day.

You must submit a request for a stage one centre review by 3 September 2021.

Once you have received the outcome of your centre review, if you wish to request a stage two awarding organisation appeal you must do so as soon as possible and before 16 September l in order to ensure that we are able to submit these within the exam Board deadline.