EXAMS: TEACHER KNOWS BEST
NO CHILD should have their ‘prospects blighted’ as a result of the pandemic, Gavin Williamson said as he revealed plans for awarding exam grades and helping pupils catch up.
The education secretary has pledged £700million, including £400million newly announced, to fund schemes including summer schools running over the holidays.
And he has promised children will be given every chance to secure the results they need in A-levels and GCSEs after months of disruption to learning.
Grades will be set by teachers – to avoid a repeat of last year’s algorithm shambles – and there will be no formal exams. Optional assessment questions will be provided by exam boards to help schools decide on marks.
GCSE results will be announced early on August 12, two days after A-levels, to give pupils more time to appeal if they are unsatisfied.
The appeals will be free and, if they are still not happy, children will be able to sit exams in the autumn.
The plan to help youngsters catch up includes funding for schools to run clubs and activities for disadvantaged pupils over the summer break, as well as formal classroom lessons.
Mr Williamson told last night’s Downing Street briefing: ‘ The broad range of catch-up measures we have planned will enable children to start recouping not only lost learning time, but also the fun and friendship they have missed out on.
‘Our whole nation has never before valued what schools, teachers and education bring to our children more than it does today.’
Asked if pupils would be forced to spend longer in class, he said: ‘Lengthening the school day is not part of a plan but what we’re wanting to do is see a real change, a step-change, in what we can deliver – we’re taking an in-depth look.’ The National Education Union’s general secretary Mary Bousted called the exam grade proposals ‘likely the least worst option’.
But on the prospect of summer schools, she warned: ‘Teachers are already working more overtime than any other profession.’
Paul Whiteman, head of the NAHT school leaders’ union, warned against overwhelming students as ‘recovery cannot happen in a single summer’.