Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government plans to produce before the end of the autumn 2020 term transparent and standard contingency assessment plans and processes for GCSEs and A levels in the event that the 2021 examinations may not be safely or fairly held.

Examinations and assessments are the best and fairest way of judging pupils’ performance. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has confirmed that next year’s GCSE, AS level, and A level examination series will go ahead.

The Department is working with Ofqual and engaging widely with the education sector to identify any risks to examinations at a national, local, and individual student level, and to consider measures needed to address any potential disruption. For example, if a pupil is unable to sit examinations due to illness or self isolation, or if schools are affected by a local outbreak during the examination season resulting in examination centres not being able to open. Further details will be published later in the autumn.