Year 11s, Update from Colchester Sixth Form

Dear Parents/Carers

With regard to GCSE qualifications required to progress on to post 16 education, the government have issued guidance that states that all students will be awarded grades in line with the format of previous years. Precisely how this is to be done remains unclear and we will update you as soon as we receive further instructions.

In the meantime, we have received the following update and some clarification regarding the situation at Colchester Sixth Form College in this extraordinary time for all of us:

“We are trying to respond to all email queries as per usual, but with staff working from home, responses may take a little longer. Please do email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have significant issues or concerns.

The situation with regard to our normal programme of summer events such as Induction, Year 10 day and Post-GCSE Counselling is, of course, somewhat unclear at the moment. We’ll keep you in touch as things progress; however we arrange things, we will do our best to ensure that students are given opportunities to review their course decisions and make as smooth a progression as possible onto their next course of study.

There is still, of course, a significant amount of detail to emerge from the government regarding the awarding of grades; in this context we have been sending the following response out to any applicants that make enquiries regarding GCSE and other grades:

Clarification regarding College Admissions Policy for September 2020:

The College understands from recent government guidance that students will be awarded GCSE grades in summer 2020 and that these grades will be in a format identical to those issued in previous years.

In this context, the College plans to adhere to the entry criteria discussed at interview and published in the College Prospectus and online at the start of the application process  

On a national level, the details regarding this process are still emerging from the government. We understand that, given the extraordinary circumstances under which grades are being awarded this year, students and parents will have a number of questions or concerns; clearly, It is difficult for college admissions staff to comment upon such matters and queries regarding the allocation of individual grades are best directed to the school concerned.

Once grades are awarded, we will, as usual, put in place systems to support those who wish to discuss the implications of those grades for their course of study.  Details of such support, as well as arrangements regarding induction events,  will be emailed to you once further details regarding the timing of the release of grades become clear.

In the meantime, I hope that you and your family are well and we look forward to seeing you later on this year.

I hope that this is helpful to you and that you and your loved ones are safe and well.

We will be back in touch as a clearer picture emerges regarding arrangements for next term.

Regards,

Adrian Frost

Assistant Principal (Head of Admissions) and Senior Tutor Division 1

The Sixth Form College, Colchester    

North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1SN

www.colchsfc.ac.uk”