GCSE results day 2020: Proud Ribble Valley headteacher congratulates pupils on 'superb achievements'

Mr Wright outlined how the grades were calculated in line with the guidance set out by the government after the cancellation of this year’s GCSE examinations.

He explained: "The process involved class teachers in every department providing a grade that they felt each pupil was most likely to achieve with pupils placed into a rank order for each grade. This was checked by departments and senior staff and then passed to the headteacher for final standardisation.

"The final decision for all Centre Assessed Grades were made by headteachers and principals in line with the guidance received from Ofqual and the Examination Boards. This guidance aimed to reflect a fair, reasonable and carefully considered judgement of the most likely grade a student would have achieved if they had sat their exams this summer.”

“These Centre Assessed Grades were meant to be moderated by the examination boards overseen by the exam watchdog, Ofqual, but on Monday the Secretary of State for Education announced that the moderation of these grades had been withdrawn and candidates’ Centre Assessed Grades would be used instead. “

Mr Wright went on to say: “While students have not sat exams this year, we are still able to celebrate some superb achievements; with our students working just as hard as those in previous years and with results broadly similar to those achieved over the last two years.

“We are used to sharing the joy of results day with our students every August, as well as supporting those students who might not have achieved the grades they had hoped for.

"This year’s leavers have not been able to enjoy the usual events that were planned, but we do hope to be able to hold some form of celebration for them as soon as we are allowed.”