Coronavirus: Horndean Technology College headteacher’s sadness for ‘incredibly vulnerable’ pupils awaiting decision on exam grades

Headteacher at Horndean Technology College Julie Summerfield has spoken about the ‘incredibly vulnerable’ position that Year 11 students are in as they await the government’s decision on how GCSE grades are to be awarded.

Mrs Summerfield said: ‘We are conscious that Year 11 students are feeling incredibly vulnerable as to what decisions are going to be made about their futures. They are really worried and one student even asked me today if they should keep on learning. We have to consider how they are going to be feeling – they are going to become known as the year group who didn’t sit exams.

‘These students have been working towards this for 11 years and now they are not going to have the opportunity to show what they can do.’

Mrs Summerfield also commended the students’ dedication, praising their excellent attendance when they ‘could have voted with their feet’.

‘There is also the emotional side that students have to deal with. One student said ‘I thought I had three months left of school and now it is only two days’. They are not going experience having a prom or leavers assembly and the chance to say goodbye properly,’ she said.

While the school is awaiting clarity as to how GCSE grades will be awarded Mrs Summerfield feels it will be based on teacher assessed predicted grades.