Predicted grade procedures
For reasons connected to equality and fairness, the College must follow a strict set of procedures on predicted grades. These cannot be based on a teacher’s “feelings”, or on student or parental pressure, or on what a student “wants” or “needs” to apply to a particular University. The predicted grade must be the grade that in the considered and professional opinion of the teacher is the one that the student is most likely to get.
Esher College will always wish to err on the side of optimism: but it would do the student no favours and undermine the College’s reputation if it was unfailingly over-optimistic. Each year teachers review their predicted grades against the actual grades to ensure that in general these two are as close as possible, with any differences being on the optimistic side.
The procedures
Predicted grades are based on actual AS grades achieved. Teachers will then ensure that a proper proportion of students are predicted higher grades. In most cases this will be the 25% of students per subject who are closest in marks to achieving a higher grade.
If a teacher has evidence that a student had a particular issue that caused the AS grade to be lower than expected they can raise the grade, but that must be based on firm evidence, and there must also be evidence that the student worked for a considerable period at the higher grade being predicted.
The predicted grade cannot be based on promises: “I’m going to work harder”, “I’m going to get a tutor” etc. That is a given, because the second year exams ARE harder than the first year exams. Students need to work harder just to stay in the same place.
Appealing against predicted grades
Any appeal will be passed to the appropriate Divisional Director who will investigate the request. The appeal can only be based on the student’s PAST performance. The College will not discuss an appeal based on possible FUTURE actions – a student re-taking Units, working harder, getting a tutor etc. No further appeal or discussion of the predicted grade will be considered after the first appeal.
If the student or parent is still dissatisfied they could use the College Complaints Procedure, but any complaint could only be as to whether the predicted grade policy had been followed correctly by all members of the College, not whether the grade should be raised.