Call for ‘clarity’ on how pupils will be assessed with exams ‘not going ahead as normal’ according to the PM

WITH schools and colleges now facing closure to all but key worker and vulnerable children until at least February half-term education leaders are now calling for clarity over how students are to be assessed.

Despite the government having previously insisted that GCSE and A-level examinations would go ahead the prime minister was this week forced to concede that exams would ‘not go ahead as normal’.

Boris Johnson said: ‘We recognise this will mean it’s not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer as normal.’

It’s the issue of fairness which

Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for education, Suzy Horton, now believes makes it impossible for exams to take place.

Cllr Horton said: ‘I’ve been consistent in saying exams should only go ahead if there’s a level playing field. Young people have had such an inconsistent experience that it’s impossible for them to be going into exams with equity in how they have been taught.’

With some exams scheduled to take place next week, many of the region’s headteachers are now calling for urgent clarity in how pupils are to be assessed.

Park Community School headteacher Chris Anders said: ‘We await guidance and some clarity and hope that it will come quickly. Again this was something many heads were expecting regardless of what the government said.

‘Their pronouncements seemed to be based on wishes rather than the reality of life in schools around the country.

‘I hope that whatever system is put in place is fair and allows for some form of moderation along with sufficient time for schools to be able to organise all that may be required.

Portsmouth College principal Simon Barrable added: ‘With the amount of disruption to learning nationwide since last March, it has become clear that running a fair exam season this summer has become nigh on impossible.

‘What we now need is absolute clarity on what replaces those exams, as soon as possible, so we avoid the very difficult circumstances students, staff and parents were confronted with last summer.’

However Priory School headteacher Stewart Vaughan has urged the government ‘not to rush into a decision’.

Mr Vaughan said: ‘Following the fiasco of last summer I hope lessons have been learned and their is a full consultation with schools and colleges.’

Headteachers were also keen to highlight the ‘stress and uncertainty' the announcement will have placed on students.

Head of Education and Sociology at the University of Portsmouth, Dr Emma Maynard, said: ‘The immediate closure of school sites is a huge issue for children and families, with significant risks of isolation, mental health stressors and learning loss. In particular news of the potential cancellation of public exams will be a major stress to families and it’s essential that the government clarifies this as an absolute priority.’