School closures could encourage innovation

SIR – Given the closure of schools, is it not time for some innovation in the provision of online education?

Models already exist in British tertiary education, for students unable to attend a particular institution, and in the School of the Air in Australia for isolated communities.

Teachers might actually welcome the ability to deliver a lesson without disruption, upload it to YouTube or another platform, and receive in return either a legible piece of homework by email or a folder of work to be assessed when schools re-open. Ursula Harris London SW8

SIR – The cancellation of GCSE and A-level exams due to be taken in May and June is unnecessary and unfair.

Whatever methods may be used to determine final results, they cannot reflect pupils’ true attainment. It will be impossible for future employers or further education establishments to take these grades seriously.

Schools and colleges will have plenty of empty rooms in May and June and a ready supply of invigilators. It should not be too difficult to divide candidates into small groups and sit them well apart at disinfected tables, so they can complete the exams for which they have spent years studying. Giles Slaughter

Ufford, Suffolk

SIR – Could Oxfam shops – and other charity establishments having to close or cut down their hours because the over-70s are no longer allowed to work in them – start recruiting students?

Those who are confined to their homes are going to need somewhere to donate their no-longer-loved objects as they turn out their cupboards over the next few weeks. Gillian Reid

Pangbourne, Berkshire