Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Baynes Excerpts

Monday 23rd November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD)]

What assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the capability of schools and colleges to hold (a) A-level and (b) GCSE exams at the end of the 2020-21 academic year.

[Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking in response to the covid-19 outbreak to ensure that (a) GCSE and (b) A-level exams can take place in 2021.

[Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking in response to the covid-19 outbreak to ensure that (a) GCSE and (b) A-level exams can take place in 2021.

--- Later in debate ---

[Simon Baynes]

Can the Minister say how the arguments put forward by the Welsh Government to cancel GCSE and A-level exams are informing his own decision-making process at UK Government level?

[Nick Gibb]

Yes, I can. We of course look at the decisions taken by the devolved Administrations on such matters, but the broad consensus remains that exams are the fairest and best way of assessing student attainment and of ensuring that young people have the qualifications that they need for the next stage of their education. The £1 billion catch-up fund, £195 million on laptops and computers, the delay of three weeks in the exam timetable and the changes to assessment already announced by Ofqual are all designed to ensure that the experience of students next summer is as stress-free and as fair as possible.