Prefects are a crucial aspect of the culture in Bloxwich Academy. Over the years the role has grown and has become well established in the school. This year, although the process has been delayed due to Covid-19, we have still followed the strict and professional application method for the pupils to become Prefects. Before lockdown, Year 10 pupils had to write a formal application letter to show their interest in becoming a Prefect. Over the lockdown period, we held the training session online, a first for Bloxwich Academy, and the pupils were put through their paces to understand the integral role required from each of them. Following the training, and the return to school, the pupils were given their ties and began their role within the school.

We would like to congratulate: L Bowyer, J Moseley, J Slater, H Rashidzada, L Dowen, M Erinayo, L Harris, E Instone, A Price, K Sears, M Spellman and R Scott.

The pupils have been responsible for being a role model and showing the younger pupils how to act around the Academy. More recently, the pupils nominated themselves for the role of a Senior Prefect. As part of the selection process, pupils were required to write a formal email and be interviewed by Miss Williamson, Head of House and Mr Chamberlain, Deputy Headteacher. The pupils showed their professionalism throughout and all interviewed and presented themselves to a high standard. The formal application, Prefect vote and the interview feedback were triangulated and the senior team was selected. Congratulations to S Nelson, M Rogan and K Swarnasingam for becoming Deputy Senior Prefects. A special mention and congratulations to G Hawkins, Head Girl and B Johnson, Head Boy.

Every year Bloxwich Academy holds its annual Art and Design show to celebrate the wonderful creative talent our pupils demonstrate. Unfortunately, this year due to Covid-19 restrictions our show was unable to take place, however, we could not deny our parents, staff and pupils a peek of the stunning work our pupils have worked tirelessly to create over the last year.

If you have not yet viewed our digital Art exhibition online through our website or Twitter feed, then please take a look. The exhibition displays work from Year 7 up to Year 13 in different styles, subject matter and techniques. As always, the Art department are immensely proud of the work pupils produce and we look forward to seeing the new and fresh talent emerge over the years to come.

Year 13 Results Day | Thursday 13^th August

The staff at Bloxwich Academy are looking forward to seeing you on Year 13 Results Day.

Please read the information below carefully so that you understand what you will need to do to collect your results.

• Results will be distributed from the Main Hall. You will enter the school via the entrance to the main reception.
• The academy will be open for you to collect your results between 8.45am and 12.00pm
• There will be a one-way system in place as you collect your results. There will be other safety measures in place too, for example, we will provide hand sanitiser as you enter.
• You are each permitted to bring one adult along with you to collect your results. Please do not bring more than this so that we can maintain social distancing. You are of course welcome to collect your results on your own.
• If you would rather your results be sent to you electronically, please email hbrockless@bloxwichacademy.co.uk to let us know. Your results will then be sent to your school email address on Results Day.
• If you are feeling unwell, displaying symptoms of Covid-19 or are self-isolating, you should not attend Results Day. In this event, please inform us so that we can send your results to you.
• If you ask a parent, guardian or another responsible adult to collect your results for you, they must bring a note that is signed by you that gives your consent. We cannot release the results otherwise.

Year 11 Results Day | Thursday 20^th August

The staff at Bloxwich Academy are looking forward to seeing pupils on Year 11 Results Day.

Please read the information below regarding the process of collecting results.

• Results will be distributed from the Main Hall. Pupils will enter the Academy via the entrance to the main reception on Leamore Lane.
• All pupils will be allocated a timeslot for when they can collect their results. These timeslots will be communicated via text message. If you have changed contact details during lockdown, please provide an update by contacting us.
• There will be a one-way system in place as pupils collect their results. There will be other safety measures in place too, for example, we will provide hand sanitiser upon entry.
• Pupils are permitted to have one adult accompanying them whilst collecting result.
• If pupils would prefer their results electronically, please email hbrockless@bloxwichacademy.co.uk to confirm this process. Results will then be sent to pupil school email addresses on Results Day.
• If you are feeling unwell, displaying symptoms of Covid-19 or are self-isolating, you should not attend Results Day. In this event, please inform us so we can arrange for the results to be sent.
• Pupils wishing either a parent, guardian or another responsible adult to collect their results must bring a note that is signed by the pupil that gives consent. We cannot release the results otherwise.

How did we decide on grades?

All schools across the country have followed the process laid out by the government for awarding Centre Assessment Grades. This process is explained in this video created by Ofqual, the organisation which regulates exams:

We are very confident we have assessed you with a high degree of accuracy. We undertook a lengthy, rigorous process with every Year 11 teacher participating in a series of meetings. Every grade was decided by whole teams, not individual teachers.

During these grading meetings, we used all available forms of evidence for every single grade, including mock exams, classwork, homework, coursework, prior attainment (how you had performed in previous years) as well as current effort. All grade decisions were rooted in evidence to eliminate any potential bias.

Over a period of several weeks, every grade was discussed multiple times, as part of a rigorous quality assurance process. Only when we were confident that we had graded everyone accurately did we send the grades to the exam boards.

Very important: the grades we submitted for you will not necessarily be the grades you receive on results day. That is because the exam board’s job is to make sure that the grades this year are consistent with those awarded to other pupils in previous years. That means there should be broadly the same proportion of pupils achieving the same grade in each subject as there were in previous years.

For instance, in 2019, 67% of pupils across the country achieved GCSE Grade 4 in English. This year, roughly the same proportion of pupils across the country will achieve GCSE Grade 4 in English, even if schools submitted lots more Grade 4s.

Similarly, around 76% of A level grades are grade C every year. Therefore, roughly the same proportion will be a grade C this year, whatever schools submitted.

It is being widely reported that the grades submitted by schools across the country are significantly higher than in previous years:

https://www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-teacher-assessed-grades-higher-grades-2019

This will mean that some grades will change. “Insiders” say this could affect around 40% of grades.

https://www.tes.com/news/exclusive-warning-40-gcse-grades-may-change

Here is a video from Ofqual with more details about how they are making grades consistent with previous years:

Tuesday 14 July from 10am to 4pm

Big Bang Digital 2020 – science, engineering and Covid-19 is a free online event for young people 11+ to attend short, inspiring sessions looking at all aspects of STEM in a pandemic.

It’s the perfect opportunity for students to see STEM careers in action, hear inspiring stories from incredible people (including a Nobel Prize winner), ask questions in live Q&A sessions, add their voice to online polls and complete activities throughout the day. 

Big Bang Digital can be included as part of home learning or streamed in school and is a secure environment with safeguarding measures in place. 

Line-up at a glance:

• TV & Radio Science Presenter, Podcaster & YouTuber Greg Foot will be hosting live
• Meet NHS frontline staff, join the race to find a vaccine and ask the experts your coronavirus questions.
• Hear from people designing PPE, ventilators and a social distancing lanyard
• Find out how the NHS Nightingale hospitals were built so quickly
• Meet the teams keeping things moving, water in the taps and food in the shops
• Explore lockdown cyber security and staying safe online
• Pay tribute to key workers with a rainbow science show with Gastronaut Stefan Gates

To check out the full programme visit: www.digitalbigbang.co.uk

Unfortunately due to the current circumstances, we couldn’t hold our annual Year 11 celebration assembly where we share memories and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our Year 11 cohort.

Staff at Bloxwich Academy, however, did not want to miss out on the opportunity to send well wishes and act a little silly on video. We hope you enjoy your Year 11 celebration video. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our virtual Teams assembly this afternoon.