Call to delay exams

PRESSURE is growing on ministers to delay next year’s exams to help students who have missed out on months of teaching time.

GCSEs and A-levels will take place in 2021 but Labour and some unions want the start date to change from May to June or July.

Opposition education spokesman Kate Green said Year 11 and 13 pupils face ‘a mountain to climb’ unless the timetable is altered. She added: ‘ This is too important to leave until the last minute. Pupils need certainty about the year ahead.’

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said a delay was worth ‘ serious consideration’. Regulator Ofqual has consulted on the issue but has not yet revealed its decision.