Summer 2021: key information in a nutshell
Key information you need for summer 2021 and where you can get further help and support.
Summer 2021 TAGs
For information around teacher assessed grades (TAGs) in summer 2021, please sign up for our fortnightly bulletins (which are on summer 2021 only). You can also access the previous 5 editions below. The latest update for GCSE and A level went out on 31 March and 1 April for Int GCSE and IAL.
Access GCSE and A level bulletin (31 March 2021) here
Access International GCSE and Internation A level bulletin (1 April 2021) here
Access the previous bulletins here
Sign up for fortnightly bulletins here
For international qualifications, the grading guidance below draws together everything you need to know for summer 2021 in one place. For GCSE and A level, there is the JCQ guide, our summary of it, and our TAG support under ‘course materials’ and ‘summer 2021 assessment materials for centres’ on our GCSE, AS and A level pages.
Release of secure materials from padlocks for GCSE/AS/A level
The ‘summer 2021 assessment materials for centres’ published at the end of March are currently padlocked. From 19 April, past exam question summaries in these documents (but not mark schemes) will be published open access for students. Question papers and mark schemes in their usual positions on our qualification pages will remain padlocked under their usual release schedule. Autumn 2020 exam materials are due for padlock release in July 2021 (TBC).
In a nutshell for summer 2021
GCSE/AS/A level
Arrive at TAGs using a range of evidence. You can use the ‘additional assessment materials’ which are largely summaries of questions from past papers. The question summaries from the link below give you an overview of the questions available for each qualification.
Question summaries for each English qualification
1EN0 SLE: assess students and submit a grade by 18.6.21. No need to submit paperwork or to make or submit video-recordings.
A level NEA: mark and moderate as usual. Use as part of evidence if desired/appropriate. No need to submit marks or samples.
A level English Language 9EN0 03: Section B questions, which assess all AOs, are available on the summer 2021 subtopics in the last document in the zipped folder below. Section A questions are not available.
Entry Level Certificate (ELC)
Assess students as usual. Submit grades (1, 2 or 3) on Edexcel Online by 18.6.21 (TBC). No need to submit a sample. The guide below explains pass marks etc, but please disregard the instruction to submit samples.
Int GCSE/IAS/IAL
Use any of the 5 options described in the grading guidance. If using unseen materials on the scheduled days, access the timetables for Int GCSE and IAL.
4EA1 and 4EB1 SLE: if your students are entered for the option with the spoken language endorsement (SLE), assess students and submit a grade by 18.6.21. No need to submit paperwork or to make or submit video-recordings.
Coursework for 4EA1 and 4ET1: mark and moderate as usual. Use as part of evidence if desired/appropriate. No need to submit marks or samples.
Functional Skills
You should continue to assess students as usual. There is support for remote assessment and remote invigilation. See link below.
Support for remote assessment and remote invigilation
As a last resort, where a centre can demonstrate it is not possible to live test individual learners, who are assessment ready, for safety reasons, it may be possible to provide a TAG.
Functional Skills TAG Guidance
Please note that applications can only be made for individual students and not cohorts.
Training and guidance around summer 2021 TAGs
You can now book onto update sessions for GCSE, A level and international qualifications in April. From the Professional Development Academy, you can browse what is available under the ‘Summer 2021 qualifications support’ section.
Subject advisor
Clare Haviland
English
