Secondary schools across the Unity Schools Partnership have announced plans to offer sixth form places to students based on their Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs).

Unity’s schools throughout Suffolk have moved to reassure GCSE students ahead of results day this Thursday.

In a statement, Emma Wilson-Downes, headteacher at Felixstowe Academy, said: “Following the significant issues with the awarding of A-level grades last week, students awaiting their GCSE results will be understandably concerned.

“Our sincere hope is that similar issues are avoided. However, Felixstowe Academy will be accepting students onto the sixth form courses based on the Centre Assessed Grades awarded by their teachers.

“We hope this helps to reassure students prior to receiving their grades on Thursday.”

Explaining how the CAGs were decided in her school, Mrs Wilson-Downes said: “Every relevant teacher went through the work of each student to decide on a grade.

“This was then reviewed by the head of department, assistant headteacher, and finally, myself. We even discussed with the individual teachers how they came about deciding on the grades to ensure the process was fair and rigorous.”

Haverhill Community Sixth Form has also offered the same reassurance.

In a letter to parents, Andy Hunter, headteacher of Samuel Ward Academy, which shares the same site as the sixth form, said: “Due to the continued uncertainty caused by the issues surrounding A-level results last week, the team at Haverhill Community Sixth Form hope that similar issues will not be repeated.

“But nonetheless, we have taken the decision that Haverhill Community Sixth Form will accept students onto their Post 16 courses based on the Centre Assessed Grades awarded by their teachers or their official results, whichever are higher.

“In doing this, we hope to offer our prospective year 12 students reassurance in the coming days.”

Ahead of Thursday’s results day, Vicky Neale, headteacher at County Upper School in Bury St Edmunds, said: “In this unusual year, I confirm our previous guarantee that all students who have applied to study with us in the sixth form will have a place, regardless of their results.

“On Thursday, there will be staff available to see students who did not apply but would like a place.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Gainsborough School in Great Cornard, near Sudbury, has confirmed that all students who had conditional offers to study in their Sixth Form have already been told that those offers are now unconditional.