Mansfield school moves to reassure students after concerns over plans to email exam results

Mansfield mum Donna Giles, whose son is awaiting his GCSE results in August said she was very disappointed to receive a message from Brunts advising exam results would be emailed out.

Education chiefs say the move was intended to maintain safe social distancing and will not disadvantage students.

Mrs Giles said: “I totally accept that Covid 19 has meant big changes to everyone and everything, but there are measures that could be put in place to accommodate students picking up their results and having staff to speak to in the event of their results not being what they want or need for their next steps.

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“Other schools in the Mansfield area have taken the decision to open for exam results collections by appointment – I am astonished it isn’t the case there.

“The receptionist mentioned there would be information in the email about available support, I don't feel this is enough.”

She added: “Some year 11 students are already anxious about their results, a scenario that goes through my mind is that a student opens the email on their own, parents are at work and they don't get the results they need for their next college place. Can you imagine what thoughts will go through their mind, the anxiety this will cause?

“Will support offered in an email be enough to stop someone doing something dangerous or harmful?

“I don't feel that Brunts are doing enough to help the year 11s that have already gone through so much this year, this could affect their mental health for years to come.”

A spokesman for Brunts Academy said as the largest, academy in Mansfield, the logistics were very different to many other schools.

The year group size is larger and site layout complex, which meant that social distancing in line with current government guidelines was difficult, particularly when opening parts of a building which hadn’t been used for a significant period of time.

He added in order to maintain social distancing, as well as ensure equity so that all students receive their results at the same time, the academy has arranged for results to be emailed directly to student school email accounts.

Those who have expressed an interest in 6th form provision will be contacted individually and directly by an experienced leader within the academy to discuss the appropriateness of their option choices and to agree their pathway.

Those who were planning to study in alternative post 16 institutions will be contacted to ensure that their places are secure and to offer any information, advice or guidance to both parents/carers and their children.

All students will be contacted on the results day.

The spokesman added: “We have a track record of ensuring all our students go onto employment, education or training and this year will be no different.

“Unfortunately, the way in which we have to currently operate is very different to other times but this will not disadvantage any student receiving their results and planning their next steps.”

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