Friday 19th July 2024

GCSE Results Day this year is Thursday 22nd August. Pupils from Year 11 will be able to pick up their examination results from 9am. Year 10 pupils should pick up their results from 10am.

Good luck to all those collecting results. We will be there to help as needed.

Tuesday 2nd April 2024

KS4 (Year 10 and Year 11) Easter Revision Sessions

Please see below for a timetable of the Easter revision sessions taking place from Tuesday 2nd April to Thursday 4th April 2024. Pupils can just turn up to the session, they do not need to sign up.

Friday 22nd March 2024

KS4 (Year 10 and Year 11) Easter Revision Sessions

Please see below for a timetable of the Easter revision sessions taking place from Tuesday 2nd April to Thursday 4th April 2024. Year 11 pupils can sign up to the sessions by completing the sign up sheet here. Year 10 pupils do not need to complete the sign up sheet.

Wednesday 23rd August 2023

GCSE Results 2022-23

These can be collected from school on Thursday 24th August from 9.00 am (Year 11) and 9:30 am (Year 10). Please note they will be distributed from the staff room, so please enter the school through the main reception.

Good luck to all those collecting results. We will be there to help as needed

Wednesday 25th January 2023

WJEC Student Guide to Summer 2023 Examinations can be found here. Summary guidance on advance information for WJEC GCSE, GCE and made-for-Wales vocational qualifications can also be found here. This summary aims to give teachers and learners an indication of the approach that will be taken to advance information in each WJEC GCSE, GCE and made-for-Wales vocational qualifications in summer 2023. This summary is not the advance information itself which will be released online, for all subjects, on 6th February 2023. 

Friday 2nd December 2022

Year 11 Autumn Assessments / Mock Examinations 2022

Assessment is a central process at Risca Community Comprehensive School. It is through assessment that we can find out whether pupils have learned what they have been taught, so that we can make appropriate adjustments to our teaching. The tasks and questions we set elicit the right evidence so we can judge whether pupils know, understand and can do what we want them to.

The Year 11 Autumn Assessments/Mock Examinations began on Thursday 10th November 2022, will run until Wednesday 21st December 2022, and will cover all subjects. Please find a copy of the Year 11 Assessment/Mock Examination Timetable below.

Pupils are responsible for bringing the correct equipment for assessments/examinations and are advised to check what they need in advance with their subject teachers.

Pupils should approach these assessments/examinations with a determination to do their best and, therefore, prepare thoroughly. Each pupils’ result will indicate overall attainment and illustrate how well a pupil is achieving compared to the targets set. Pupils would be well advised to do some revision towards these assessments/examinations and therefore to act upon the advice and guidance given to them by their subject teachers in recent weeks.

The following after-school revision sessions, in the run up to the Autumn Assessments/Mocks, are available to all pupils:

• Biology - Wednesday (Science Faculty)

• Food & Nutrition - Tuesday/Thursday (Miss Summers)

• Geography 6th December (Mr John)

• Technology - Wednesday & Friday (Mr Huggett)

• History - Thursday (Miss Weston)

• Health & Social Acre and Childcare - Tuesday & Wednesday (Miss Edmunds)

• RE - Tuesday & Wednesday (Miss John)

• Art - Thursday (Miss Mingham)

Parents/Carers, please support us in ensuring your child is fully prepared for these assessments. As always, if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school.

GCSE Results 2021-22

These can be collected from school on Thursday 25th August from 9.30 am. Please note they will be distributed from the PA so please access through the door near the Leisure Centre and if coming by car, park in one of the Leisure Centre car parks.

Refurbishment work is still going on in the school and you should not attempt to enter the school through the main reception.

Good luck to all those collecting results. We will be there to help as needed.

John Kendall, 19.8.22

Year 11 Autumn Assessments / Mock Examinations

Assessment is a central process at Risca Community Comprehensive School. It is through assessment that we can find out whether pupils have learned what they have been taught, so that we can make appropriate adjustments to our teaching. The tasks and questions we set elicit the right evidence so we can judge whether pupils know, understand and can do what we want them to.

The Year 11 Autumn Assessments/Mock Examinations will take place the week beginning Monday 29th November, will run until Thursday 16th December, and will cover all subjects. Please find a copy of the Year 11 Assessment/Mock Examination Timetable below.

Pupils are responsible for bringing the correct equipment for assessments/examinations and are advised to check what they need in advance with their subject teachers.

Pupils should approach these assessments/examinations with a determination to do their best and, therefore, prepare thoroughly. Each pupils’ result will indicate overall attainment and illustrate how well a pupil is achieving compared to the targets set. Pupils would be well advised to do some revision towards these assessments/examinations and therefore to act upon the advice and guidance given to them by their subject teachers in recent weeks.

Parents/Carers, please support us in ensuring your child is fully prepared for these assessments. As always, if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school.

UPDATE 7th October 2021

Please click here to read an important letter from Qualifications Wales about Exams in 2022.

UPDATE 12th August 2021

Pupils will receive their final results for all qualifications today (12th August 2021), via their school email, at 8:30am (Year 11) and 9:30am (Year 10) . 

Information for learners on Stage 2: Appeal to WJEC can be found here.

Student Guide to Appeals can be found here.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding any of the results, please contact Mr. Coombes (Assistant Headteacher) at: results2021@riscacom.net

UPDATE 9th July 2021

Information for learners on Stage 2: Appeal to WJEC can be found here.

Student Guide to Appeals can be found here.

Pupils will receive their final results for all qualifications, via their school email, on 12th August 2021.

UPDATE 1st July 2021

Please see the attached document for more information on 2021 qualifications. Qualifications Wales Centre Reviews and Appeals 2021.  Student Guide to Appeals from WJEC. 

Pupils will receive their final results for all qualifications, via their school email, on 12th August 2021.

UPDATE 18th June 2021

Provisional GCSE and Welsh Baccalaureate (Skills Challenge Certificate) Centre Determined Grades (CDGs) will be emailed to pupils' school email account by 9am today.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding any of the results, please contact Mr. Coombes (Assistant Headteacher) at: results2021@riscacom.net by no later than 9am on Tuesday 22nd June 2021.

Please see the attached document for more information on 2021 qualifications. Qualifications Wales Centre Reviews and Appeals 2021.

Qualifications such as BTECs, WJEC Vocational Awards and Applied Certificates will be awarded a Centre Determined Grade (Teacher Assessed Grade (TAG) if an English Examination Board qualification) based on a range of assessment information, in the same way as GCSEs. However, provisional grades for vocational qualifications will not be shared with pupils.

UPDATE 21st May 2021

Please click here to read an important letter from Qualifications Wales.

Guide to 2021 qualifications- all you need to know. 

UPDATE 15th April 2021

A copy of our subjects’ Assessment Approach & Plans can be found here.

The Y11 Assessment Calendar can be found here. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, and possibility of further absence from school, all additional assessment tasks will be conducted following a notice period of at least 5 school days; dates are subject to change.

Appropriate arrangements will be in place, for all pupils with approved access arrangements, for all assessments.

UPDATE 19th March 2021

Below is a table of events showing our plans for the coming months for all pupils expecting to gain qualifications in the summer 2021. Our aim is to ensure that face-to-face (in school) learning and teaching is a priority and that all pupils are given the opportunity to access the knowledge, skills and understanding, in each of their qualifications, to enable them to achieve their potential and progress to any further studies.

Where face-to-face learning and teaching is not able to take place, because of absence from school due to the pandemic, then appropriate remote learning and teaching and assessment arrangements will be made.

The commitment, maturity and efforts that all our pupils have shown, and the support parents/carers have given, has been outstanding in such difficult times, and we are confident that this will continue. Our dedicated staff here at RCCS will continue to provide pupils and parents/carers with all the help and support they need to enable them to succeed.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns or queries.

UPDATE 5th March 2021

Please click here to read an important letter from Qualifications Wales.

UPDATE 26th February 2021

GCSE Results Day 2021

Following cross-government discussions – to not disadvantage learners either side of the border with their progression, I can confirm that GCSE & A Level results & selected vocational qualifications results in Wales will move forward this year to week commencing 9th August. GCSE results will be issued on the 12th August 2021. Education Minister Kirsty Williams, Thursday 25th February 2021

Centre Determined Grades (CDGs)

We will continue to provide all learners with the high quality learning and teaching needed to enable them to progress and achieve the best possible grades. We will share with you what evidence we will be using for determining grades for each qualification as soon as possible.

Examples of Learner Evidence

Learners should demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding in each of the assessment objectives.

Past papers provided by WJEC, adapted where appropriate, and NEAs (non-examination assessments) where applicable, have been and will be used to provide sufficient evidence of each learner’s knowledge, skills and understanding. Past papers used to generate evidence of learning, do not have to be completed in one session as an ‘examination’, but can be divided into sections to suit the programme of learning.

We are not restricted to using the past papers provided. When designing our own assessments, we will refer to WJEC’s Assessment Creation Guidance to help ensure the assessments provide fair access for learners; they sufficiently sample breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and understanding; and they can be marked accurately and consistently.

When assessing the areas studied, we will consider how knowledge, skills and understanding are usually sampled by WJEC in each examination series.

Making Judgements

Each learner’s grade will be determined using a best fit model where strengths in some areas may balance shortcomings elsewhere. When determining the grade, we will take account of unit and assessment objective weightings in the specification (including the effect of any adaptations) and consider each learner’s evidence in relation to the grade descriptions. We will also consider the conditions under which the assessment was taken, e.g. supervised/unsupervised, duration, etc.

The final grade will be based on a judgement of evidence across units and assessment objectives, taking account of any adaptations made for 2021. Evidence of high achievement in a narrow aspect of the specification will not, on its own, justify a high grade.

Vocational and ‘Other General’ Qualifications: Assessment arrangements announced from WJEC Website 25th February 2021

The UK Government has today outlined its plan for how students doing Vocational Qualifications will receive their grades this summer. You can read the Education Secretary’s full statement here.

The key points from the announcement:

• Students studying vocational qualifications that are often taught alongside GCSEs and A levels on one or two year courses, will also receive grades assessed by teachers rather than sitting exams.

• Teachers will be able to draw on a range of evidence when determining grades, including the optional use of questions provided by exam boards, as well as mock exams, coursework, or other work completed as part of a pupil’s course, such as essays or in-class tests.

• Exams and assessments will continue in VQs where they are needed for students to demonstrate the necessary professional standard in an occupation

See the Student Summary 2021 Assessments from the WJEC and also the Frequently Asked Questions Sections from WJEC and Qualifications Wales websites.

UPDATE 9th February 2021

Please click here to read an important letter from Qualifications Wales

UPDATE 20th January 2021

Written Statement: Update on General Qualifications in 2021- Kirsty Williams, Education Minister

The pandemic continues to present serious challenges and concerns in relation to education and wellbeing. For learners in exam years, I understand that this anxiety is particularly acute.

In November, I stated my intention that exams would be cancelled due to the significant disruption already experienced by learners. The proposals we later presented were designed to support learner wellbeing and progression, be responsive to future disruption, and were broadly well received by the education community.

Since then, the public health crisis has worsened. Unless the rates of community transmission reduce significantly by 29 January, schools and colleges will continue remote learning for most students until the February half term. As a result we have revisited our proposals for qualifications, to reflect the impact of this on learner wellbeing and confidence.

The Design and Delivery Advisory Group (DDAG) have since reconvened and have developed revised proposals in this new context. This includes considering the recommendations of the final report of the independent review of qualifications led by Louise Casella, and which will be published on Friday 22 January.

I have now received and considered the amended DDAG proposals and accepted them as my policy on qualifications in 2021. These are summarised below.

First, it is my intention that learners undertaking GCSE, AS and A levels approved by Qualifications Wales will have their qualifications awarded through a Centre-Determined Grade model.

This means that grades will be determined by their school or college based on an assessment of the learner’s work. 

Schools and colleges will be able to use a range of evidence to determine the grades to be awarded to their learners, including Non-Examination Assessment elements, mock-exams, and classwork. In addition, the WJEC will offer a set of adapted past papers which can enable schools to continue to assess learning within their teaching plans, providing extra support for teachers and learners.

Qualifications Wales will work with WJEC, supported by the DDAG, to provide an assessment framework to support schools and colleges in developing their assessment plans, which should demonstrate sufficient coverage of key concepts to allow learners to progress, and detail for how the centre has determined a learner’s grade. These assessment plans will be quality assured by WJEC. 

Second, recognising the challenges posed by the ongoing disruption and remote learning, the deadlines and controls around non-exam assessment are being removed and it will not be moderated by the WJEC.

However where possible we would continue to encourage schools and colleges to support learners to undertake some of their Non-Examination Assessment to continue to build learning and skills. Building knowledge and skills, and covering core concepts to support progression, remains a priority and should continue to be a focus, supported by our guidance and approach to distance learning as appropriate.

Third, alongside the Assessment Framework, WJEC will publish guidance to support schools and colleges to develop internal quality assurance processes and the Design and Delivery Group will consider an approach to promote consistency across Wales.

Once quality assurance has been completed at the centre, the grade will be submitted to WJEC. There will be no intervening action on the grades. Learners will appeal to their school or college if they are unhappy with their grade, and to WJEC if they are unhappy with the process. 

I have asked the Design and Delivery Advisory Group to support Qualifications Wales and WJEC in developing and setting out both the Assessment Framework and the quality assurance process. Alongside the framework and guidance, there will be training for practitioners so that processes are applied consistently, equitably, and fairly.

Where learners in Year 10 are due to complete a qualification this year then this approach will apply, but it won’t apply to learners due to take individual units of assessment.

Learners in Year 12 will be awarded an AS grade that is Centre Determined. This will recognise the hard work and learning that they have undertaken this year, provide for progression into the A-level course of study, and support UCAS applications, but will not contribute to the final A level award in 2022.   

I have also asked the Design and Delivery Group to consider arrangements for private candidates as a priority: we must ensure there is a clear option for them to support their progression too.  I am grateful to the DDAG for their continued commitment and support as the approach to qualifications is developed. 

This Centre Determined Grade approach puts trust in teachers’ and lecturers’ commitment to prioritise teaching and learning in the time available, and their knowledge of the quality of their learners’ work.

We have sought to make the grading approach as clear as possible in the circumstances, while remaining as simple as possible. Teaching the core content and aspects of each course remains my absolute priority for learners in exam years, so they are supported to progress with certainty into their next steps, and with confidence in the grades they’ve been awarded.

We are working with higher education institutions to look at how they can support learners in Wales through this transition, and can provide a bridge into university courses. Initial engagement and commitment from our universities have been very positive.

Equally, we will explore with further education institutions and schools how they can support those learners currently in years 10, 11 and 12, as they move to the new academic year. It is vital that the wider education sector continues to come together to support our learners.

As we continue to work at pace to develop these proposals, I encourage learners, teachers and lecturers to continue their focus on learning in the core areas of their courses in the coming weeks. It is this learning, and the development of associated skills and knowledge, which will continue to open doors for learners in the future, even after the qualification itself has been awarded.

I want to thank each and every learner and education professional for their ongoing flexibility and adaptability in responding to the situation in which we find ourselves.

I will be making an oral statement to the Senedd on 26 January, providing an opportunity to update Members further and to respond to questions.

https://www.wjec.co.uk/articles/education-minister-kirsty-williams-confirms-approach-for-summer-2021-assessments/ 

https://www.qualificationswales.org/english/awarding-2021/statements/qualifications-wales-confirms-centre-determined-grades-for-summer-2021/

See also:-

LINK: Letter to learners (from Qualifications Wales), 20.1.21

8th January 2021 

Letter to Learners from Qualifications Wales

Qualifications Wales cancels the spring internal assessment window - due between 22 February and 23 April - for GCSE, AS and A levels

(From Qualifications Wales Website)

Qualifications Wales cancels the spring internal assessment window (due between 22 February and 23 April) for GCSE, AS and A levels. Revised assessment arrangements for the award of these qualifications in summer 2021 will be put in place shortly. 

Following the First Minister’s announcement today (8 January 2021) that most pupils will continue to learn remotely until 29 January or possibly even February half term, Qualifications Wales is announcing that the spring internal assessment window for GCSE, AS, and A level, which were planned to take place between 22 February and 23 April, will not take place and new arrangements will be made.

Philip Blaker Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales said, “Following the decision that most pupils in schools and colleges will continue to learn remotely, the planned spring internal assessment window will not take place for GCSE, AS and A levels and revised arrangements, adapting the plans previously announced, will be made. We know that learners need clarity about how they will be assessed and there will be clarity on revised arrangements soon.  

“The Minister’s Design and Delivery Advisory Group will now be considering the way forward and more detailed information about revised arrangements will be made available shortly.’’

UPDATE for assessments in 2021 for Wales (From WJEC website)

Following Qualifications Wales’ announcement’ announcement, and the impact of schools and colleges continuing with online learning, we can confirm that there will be no GCSE and AS/A level assessment window between February 22nd - April 23rd.

The Welsh Government’s Design and Delivery Advisory Group will now consider the implications of the announcement on its proposals for assessments in 2021. In the meantime, it’s important that learners in Wales taking their qualifications this summer continue to engage fully in their studies; there’s also a range of useful resources designed specifically to help students with home-learning available on the WJEC, Hwb and BBC Bitesize websites.

WJEC will continue to be on-hand to support teachers, and will work with the Design and Delivery Advisory Group, and the wider education community, to ensure that Wales’ learners taking their qualifications this year are given every opportunity to show what they know, understand, and can do.

We would like to reassure our teachers, parents and learners that we are working closely with the Welsh Government and Qualifications Wales, and will provide further information as soon as possible.

5th January 2021 (From WJEC website)

Assessments 2021: Qualifications Wales statement 

Following yesterday's announcement by the UK Government on the cancellation of GCSE and A level examinations in England, Qualifications Wales has today published a statement in response.

In the announcement, Qualifications Wales has reassured learners and teachers in Wales that it ‘will be continually monitoring arrangements put in place for the assessment of qualifications in 2021 in the light of changing policy on the opening of schools and colleges.’

At WJEC, we are committed to working with the Welsh Government’s Design and Delivery Advisory Group, and in collaboration with the wider education community, to ensure that Wales’ learners are given every opportunity to show what they know, understand, and can do in 2021.

Further information and updates will be published on our Summer 2021 webpages and on social media, we appreciate your continued understanding during this challenging time.

Timeline for  Teacher Assessments 2021.

5th January 2021 (From Qualifications Wales website) 

Qualifications Wales monitors the impact of school closures

Qualifications Wales continues to monitor the impact of the Welsh Government policy on the closure of schools on the proposed assessment model for Summer 2021 qualifications.

The Welsh Government announced (4 January 2021) that schools and colleges will not reopen until 18 January 2021 except for vulnerable children, children of critical workers and learners who need to complete essential exams or assessments. 

Qualifications Wales will be continually monitoring arrangements put in place for the assessment of qualifications in 2021 in the light of changing policy on the opening of schools and colleges.  

Philip Blaker, CEO of Qualifications Wales said, “We are working with the Government’s Design and Delivery Advisory Group on the assessment approach for Summer 2021 to make sure it is fair and considers the impact of the fast-moving nature of the pandemic. We will provide regular updates so learners and teachers are clear on the approach for assessments.”

16th December 2020

Education Minister Kirsty Williams has today provided further clarity on the system to replace exams for general qualifications in 2021. 

You can read her letter to all learners HERE.

In November, when confirming there would be no end of year exams for learners taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels next year, the Minister said she would establish a Design and Delivery Advisory group that would support ‘wellbeing, fairness and progression’ for learners in 2021.

The group, chaired by Geraint Rees and made up of head teachers and college leaders nominated by regional consortia, Colegau Cymru and local authorities, has now presented its proposals to the Minister after working closely with both Qualifications Wales and WJEC.

The group agreed that the system needed to be fair for all learners and flexible so that learners who have had more disruption than others are not unfairly affected. 

The approach will ensure that teachers can design and plan teaching, learning around assessments in a flexible way to promote learners’ wellbeing and support their needs.  

The Minister has confirmed her intention is for general qualifications in Wales to be supported by a three pillar approach made up of: 

• non-examination assessments,

• internal assessments 

• assessments that are externally set and marked.

The decision has been supported by the news that the Welsh Government is investing an additional £1.9m in education resources to support learners in years 12 and 13 in preparing for their A Level assessments. 

The revision tools, available on the WJEC website, include ‘knowledge organisers’ to help with learning key facts and information, exam walk-throughs and revision guides. 

The resources are in addition to £7m being provided for schools and colleges to deliver mentoring and revision support programmes for learners in exam years.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “I would like to thank Geraint Rees and the group of head teachers and college leaders for working at pace to develop these recommendations and for putting equity for learners at the centre of thinking.

“What I am providing details of today is a transparent and rigorous approach to support learners as they progress to their next steps

“It ensures that universities can be confident of the abilities of students from Wales through their qualifications, and it also promotes teaching, learning and consistent assessment across Wales as we all struggle to recover in different ways from the impact coronavirus has had on education.

“I was clear that any solution must be mindful of our learners’ well-being.I am satisfied we have an approach that is fair for all learners whilst minimising disruption to learning and maintaining confidence and trust in the integrity of qualifications in Wales.”

“Alternative options would have required centres to design assessment materials, develop and test marking schemes, and then be responsible for appeals in relation to these.  

“This would take time away from teaching and learning and could also lead to inconsistency for learner experiences across Wales. 

“I am also confident these plans minimise the impact on teacher workload - teachers and lecturers are already under a great deal of pressure and we do not want to add to this.”

This approach confirms that the internal assessments will not begin until after the spring half term, so schools can focus entirely on teaching until then.  WJEC will provide further guidance and information in January.  

The Minister also confirmed that the group has agreed to continue to work together in 2021 on more detailed issues, including support for teachers and lecturers, consider how differences in disrupted learning might be recognised drawing on existing special consideration process, the appeal process and the grade outcomes process and how to engage learners throughout the year. 

The Minister continued: “The Welsh Government will now work with our stakeholders to ensure as much information is shared as soon as possible.  

“It’s been a long term and I hope all learners, teachers, lecturers, school and college staff take a well-deserved break over the Christmas period.

“I have said many times that I am extremely proud of the way the education family has come together in Wales to face the challenges coronavirus has presented. 

“We all need to be ready to come together once again next year to deliver for our learners who have already suffered so much.”  

More details on the three pillar approach

1. Non-examination assessments

These are currently managed within schools and colleges for many but not all subjects, and WJEC has already made adaptations to these. This will not change.  

2. Internal assessments

There will be a broad window for internal assessment from February 22 to April 23.

Teachers and lecturers will be able to decide when and how to deliver assessments within this window, to embed it within their teaching plans, support the needs and well-being of learners and provide flexibility in case of disruption. 

To ensure consistency of assessment experience and to reduce any additional demand on teachers and lecturers – assessment material will be provided from WJEC that schools/ colleges will be able to choose from.

The marking of these assessments will be undertaken by the schools and colleges, supported by guidance from WJEC and shared with WJEC to inform grade outcomes.    

3. Externally set and marked assessments

The extended window for externally set and marked assessment will start on May 17 and end on June 29.  

This will provide broad flexibility to enable teachers and lecturers to embed the assessments into teaching time, to be responsive to any disruption, and to support wellbeing.  

Teachers and lecturers will decide how and when to deliver these assessments within the classroom so they do not create the pressure and anxiety of exams.  

WJEC will provide information about the topics for the internal and external assessment to support teachers in preparing their learners for assessments 

The flexible assessment windows are intended to allow for assessments to be embedded within teaching plans and to minimise disruption to learning so learners develop the skills and knowledge they need to confidently progress.

11th December 2020

The remainder of the Year 11 assessments (assessments that were due to take place during 14th-16th December) will now be put back to next term and the usual timetable will be applied follow yesterday's announcement by the Education Minister.

Reports

Years 7 and 8 pupils will receive their Autumn Term Interim Reports, by email to their school email accounts, by 3pm on Monday 14th December.

Years 10 and 11 pupils will receive their Autumn Term Interim Reports, by email to their school email accounts, by 3pm on Wednesday 16th December.

Year 9 pupils will receive their Annual Report in January 2021.