Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have, this week, updated parents whose children had been preparing to sit GCSE and A level examinations this summer.

“We appreciate the disappointment and apprehension for our students who had been preparing to sit GCSE and A level examinations this summer,” said Mr Simon Dorman, Headmaster at Monmouth School for Boys and Mrs Jessica Miles, Headmistress at Monmouth School for Girls.

“Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary for England, spoke in parliament yesterday (Wednesday 6th January) to announce that centre assessed grades (CAG) will be given for GCSE and A level qualifications this summer.

“This applies to English examination boards, which we use for the vast majority of our qualifications.”

Mr Dorman and Mrs Miles added: “We do not have any further details as to how we are expected to calculate these grades, but a national algorithm will not be used. We will be in touch with parents once we have a clearer picture of how this will take place.

“Students in Years 11 and 13 should continue working just as hard as last term, and their efforts from the start of this term onwards will undoubtedly have a bearing on these grades.”