Introduction

The College adopts a consistent and optimistic approach to predicting UCAS Grades to ensure that they are both aspirational and achievable. A UCAS Grade is what we believe a student is likely to achieve by the conclusion of their course in positive circumstances and the UCAS grade provides universities and colleges with some understanding of a student’s academic potential. However, it is important to emphasise that the College has a responsibility to ensure that our UCAS Grades are not excessively optimistic, as this is not in the best interests of the College or our students.

The College UCAS Grades Policy is consistent with external UCAS guidance, please see their web page Predicted Grades - What You Need Know for further information. Please see below for our approach to both A-level and BTEC qualification UCAS Grades.

 A Levels

A level UCAS Grades will be based upon student achievement in the Summer Progression Exams, prior attainment at GCSE, 6.1 in-year performance and the professional judgement of subject teachers. The results of the Progression Exams will be published at Progress Review 4 in late June and the results in these exams will form the minimum basis for student UCAS Grades. When deciding whether to increase a UCAS Grade above performance at Progress Review 4, subject teachers will use individual performance data as evidence of student potential to inform their final judgement. UCAS Grades will be published via Progress Review 4. If significant and evidenced academic progress has been achieved over the summer period, where appropriate, subject areas may further increase UCAS grades in the Autumn Term.

BTEC

BTEC UCAS Grades are based primarily on the externally accredited 6.1 results that students achieve in August of their first year. The Progress Review 4 report will not feature Current Grades for BTEC subjects, as all such courses complete an external qualification at the end of the 6.1 year. Therefore, BTEC predicted grades will be published via the portal before teaching begins in September. When deciding whether to increase a UCAS Grade above performance at 6.1, subject teachers will use prior attainment at GCSE and unit performance data to inform their final judgement. If significant and evidenced academic progress has been achieved over the summer period, where appropriate, subject areas may further increase UCAS grades in the Autumn Term.

 One-Year Courses

The UCAS reference will refer to any one-year courses undertaken in the 6.2 year and provide an update in relation to a student’s recent level of progress.

UCAS Grade Entry Deadline Summary

A level UCAS Grades published via Progress Review 4: 21/06/19

BTEC UCAS Grades published via the database: 02/09/19

 Autumn Term UCAS Grade Review Deadline: 07/10/19