Dear parents and carers,

RE: Vocational Exams for PE Voc, Media Voc and ICT

As you will be aware, there are a number of external exams scheduled to happen the week beginning 11^th January 2021 notifications.  As of the 5^th January 2021 the Government directed that the school could choose if the exams go ahead.

We in LBBD have significant considerations:

• We are in a full national lockdown
• Barking & Dagenham have one of the highest levels of Covid in the Country
• A high proportion of our families are BAME who have shown nationally are at greater risk from Covid.
• The new variant is 70% more transmissible
• Local hospitals and NHS services are at capacity
• There is heightened anxiety around coming into school from students due to Covid.
• Being anxious re: contracting Covid whilst sitting an external exam may have a negative effect on exam outcome
• Doing an exam having been mass tested prior to doing the exam may increase anxiety
• Doing an exam whilst wearing a mask are not the exam conditions that we want for our children.

In conclusion, we are cancelling the vocational exams at Sydney Russell for two reasons:

• Health & Safety
• Concerns regards to pupils’ mental health and wellbeing

I am sure you appreciate this has not been an easy decision, but I am sure you appreciate my concerns regarding your child’s welfare. 

Given that the exams that your son/daughter was due to take were modular, not taking the exam this January should not have a negative effect on their exam results. Please be reassured I will update you further when I have clarity regarding the alternative arrangements for our students and their external outcomes this summer.

Janis Davies | Principal

Read the full letter here