Extra measures ‘to ensure fair exams next summer’

Extra measures to “boost fairness and support students” will be used for next summer’s GCSE and A-level exams in England, ministers have announced.

More generous grading, advance notice of exam topics and additional papers are promised by the Department for Education to make up for the disruption faced by students during the pandemic.

Those who cannot sit exams due to isolation rules will get their grades.

Heads said it was “a reasonable package” of measures for the situation.

The DfE says it has had “extensive engagement” with exams watchdog Ofqual, exam boards and senior leaders across the education sector.

In extreme cases, where a student misses all their papers, a teacher-assessed grade will be given.

Those young people taking vocational and technical qualifications will also see adaptations to their exams to ensure fairness.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said exams were the best way of measuring performance, and that it was “so important” they took place next summer.

“But this isn’t business as usual. I know students are facing unprecedented disruption to their learning.

“That’s why exams will be different next year, taking exceptional steps to ensure they are as fair as possible.”

Mr Williamson said he hoped the measures would “give young people the clarity and confidence they need to achieve every success”.

Julia, a Year 11 GCSE student at Herne Bay High School in Kent, says the learning lost because of Covid-19 has caused a lot of anxiety.

“I have a lot of worries about GCSEs, because I really feel there’s not much being done about the amount of time we missed.

“I’m especially worried about English and maths because those are a must-have for any sixth form. “

Edward, also in Year 11, agrees that the disruption for his year group should be recognised.

“It should be taken into account, everyone should have the same chance as everyone else as we are sitting the same exam.”

He says knowing which topics will be coming up will help with revision.

“That would be extremely helpful so that I know what I should prioritise my time on.”

In primary schools, Year 6 national tests, known as Sats, will go ahead “to assist with pupils’ transition to secondary schools” and teacher assessment in English reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 1 will remain.

But the Key Stage 1 tests in reading and maths, and the grammar, punctuation, and spelling tests at Key Stage 1 and 2 will be cancelled for this academic year.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the measures were “a reasonable package” to mitigate the damaging impact of the pandemic and made exams “as fair as they can be in the circumstances”.

Mr Barton said notice of exam topics and exam aids would “help pupils know where to focus their energies in the time that remains” before exams take place.

“It is not perfect – nothing can be given the fact that learning has been so disrupted by coronavirus and that pupils have been affected to vastly different extents.

“But various options have been discussed exhaustively, and, frankly, schools and colleges just need a decision – the uncertainty has gone on for much too long.”

In Wales, A-levels and GCSE exams have been cancelled and Nationals in Scotland have also been cancelled, but Highers and Advanced Highers will be taken, two weeks later than usual.

The DfE also announced that school inspections by Ofsted inspectors, which were suspended in March, will not resume until after Easter.

In the meantime, Ofsted will conduct “supportive monitoring inspections” to schools and colleges currently judged to be “inadequate” and some that “require improvement”.

Test and exam results will not be included in school performance tables – instead the tables will be replaced by other information such as attendance information and student destinations.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “This announcement brings with it some much needed relief to school leaders who have been operating in ’emergency mode’ for most of this year.

“The reduction of some of the burdens in the system will begin to allow school leaders to focus on the quality of education they are determined to provide for pupils.

“Whilst the government has not gone as far as we would have liked, they have moved significantly towards the profession.”

Mr Barton added: “It is vital that schools and colleges are able to focus on the immensely complex task of simultaneously delivering learning, catch-up support, and Covid safety measures without the added burden of having to worry about inspections and performance tables which could not possibly be fair in the midst of such disruption.”