"They got through it" - Staffordshire Principal pays tribute to hard working students on Results Day
Students pick up their A-Level and BTEC results today
The Principal of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group is reflecting on what has been a "year like no other" and paying tribute to the hard work of the student body as they pick up their A-Level and BTEC results today.
The coronavirus pandemic meant that examinations were cancelled this year meaning students are receiving teacher assessed grades.
Karen Dobson, Principal at NCSG told Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire News:
"Students have worked incredibly hard under very difficult circumstances. I'm hoping that they're really proud of what they've achieved even if they're doing a qualification like A-Levels where they haven't actually sat exams. Nevertheless, they've achieved a grade based on really robust assessments.
"Staff have worked incredibly hard too and I think this year, they've really had a greater focus on the internal assessment processes to make sure that absolutely correct the marking is spot on, because they want to make sure students have got a fair judgement of their abilities.
"I don't want to hear criticism about grade inflation, or that they haven't done exams - students have worked hard and deserve every success."
"We all know people that can cram just before an exam and have a good grade out. That hasn't been possible this year. You've had to work consistently hard. So yes, hard work for students, hard work for staff. But I think the grades will be very fair reflection on student performance.
"All the obstacles, the challenges, having to deal with things in an unexpected way actually will stand this group of students in really good stead for the future.
"This day Results day will be the most normal entry to the building and they can circulate around the building wherever they want to go and we've got some breakfast for them and we've got a barbecue at lunchtime for students that want to stay.
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