Hi All,

We are all aware that due to Covid 19, the GCSE Astronomy exams which were due to happen today have had to be cancelled. In line with our policy access to the portal for those due to sit this year would normally be cancelled a week after the final exam.

We have had people asking us what our position is on extensions and we have sent out newsletters to this effect.

Due to the fact that throughout the lockdown our portal has remained fully functional and available to users. Our course advisors have equally be on hand to answer questions and assess observational tasks, we see no reason to offer a free years extension. Covid 19 was obviously beyond our control, as indeed was the fact that the exams were sadly cancelled. However we are also aware that it wasn’t the learners fault either. For course advisers supporting those on the accelerated course this has meant double the workload for them not to mention two years resources made available as you might expect.

In line with this, as discussed second year and accelerated learners will receive a free extension up to 10 days after the NEXT available examination date. This means resources will still be made available online and tutors will still answer email.

However, to qualify for this, ALL learners MUST have been signed off or close to signing off their observational tasks (for both years). They must have been in a position to sit their exams and we will need a reference from their course advisor to confirm this.

How long we continue to offer the extended support for depends entirely on when Pearsons Edexcel announce the dates for the rescheduled exam. Be it later this year or into the next. If that happens to be worse case next June (2021) then it is what it is, we will honour it. However learners who were sitting this June (2020)  will be expected to sit the next available exams. A deferal will mean a requirement payment for that year.

We realise this may not please everyone, however as with other business’s we have also suffered due to Covid 19. This is the best we can offer i’m afraid, and believe it’s fair.