Secondary Education: Students
(asked on 7th July 2020) - View Source
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to support Year 12 students who are preparing for A-level examinations in 2021 with (a) educational catch up, (b) the university application process and (c) their mental health needs.
The Government is working to minimise the impact of disruption to young people’s education, including those taking year 12 exams and applying to university next year.? From 15 June, to supplement remote education, secondary schools are offering some face-to-face support to both year 10 and year 12 students, and colleges are doing the same for 16 to 19 students also taking exams next year. All students will return to school or college full time in the autumn, and the Department published guidance for schools and colleges on 2 July. The guidance for schools can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak.
The guidance for colleges can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision.
We also recognise that A level students have experienced disruption to their education. On 2 July, Ofqual published consultation proposals on a range of possible changes to A level, AS level and GCSE exams and assessments next year, with the overriding aim of ensuring that exams and other assessments are as fair as possible, taking into account any public health requirements and the wellbeing of students. The consultation proposed in particular a range of ways to free up additional time for teaching, including the possibility of a slight delay to the exams timetable next year. The consultation closed on 16 July, and Ofqual is aiming to announce its decisions on any adaptations to A level, AS level and GCSE exams and assessments for next summer by early August. The consultation document can be found here:
We have taken action to make sure that adults and young people can still access high quality careers information, advice and guidance at this time, including on applying to university. The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) continues to support schools and colleges to provide young people and their parents with careers education and guidance, working with the network of local partners and providers across the country. The CEC is pulling together and disseminating existing ideas and resources that can be used by schools, colleges and students while pupils are working remotely. In the longer term, they are thinking about ways they can continue to connect schools, colleges, young people, employers and training providers.
We are also working with stakeholder groups including UCAS and Universities UK, and with the sector and third sector bodies to identify access and participation good practice during the pandemic and consider how this can be shared.
The Government remains committed to promoting and supporting the mental health of children and young people. NHS services remain open, and the Government has recently provided over £9 million to leading mental health charities to help them expand and reach those most in need, and NHS Mental Health Trusts have been asked to provide 24/7 open access telephone lines to support people of all ages.
New online resources are also being developed to help schools and colleges respond to the impact of coronavirus on mental health and wellbeing. New online resources are also being developed to help schools and colleges respond to the impact of coronavirus on mental health and wellbeing. The Department for Education, in collaboration with Public Health England and NHS England, delivered two webinars in July to provide further support. The first webinar was for schools and colleges to support teachers in promoting and supporting the mental wellbeing of children and young people during the pandemic. The second event was for stakeholders across the local system to support strengthening of local partnerships to further support children and young people’s mental health as they return to school.
New guidance for schools and for out of school settings also includes specific information about supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.
Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from voluntary and community sector organisations by texting SHOUT to 85258, calling Childline on 0800 1111 or the Mix on 0808 808 4994. Children and young people can also find online information on COVID-19 and mental health on the Young Minds website. For support with an eating disorder, children and young people can ring Beat’s Youthline on 0808 8010711.