Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with Ofqual on the effect of the lockdown due to the covid-19 outbreak on end-of-year assessments.

The Government is committed to ensuring that students taking exams in 2021 receive the qualifications they deserve, and that next year’s exam series proceeds fairly and efficiently and commands public confidence.

Exams and assessments are the best and fairest way of judging students’ performance, and we expect next year’s exam series to go ahead. However, we recognise that students due to sit exams and assessments next year will have experienced disruption to their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As such, we have been working closely with Ofqual, the exam boards and groups representing teachers, schools, and colleges to consider our approach to exams and other assessments next year.

Ofqual has already consulted on a range of possible adaptations to GCSE, AS and A level exams and assessments next year on a subject-by-subject basis, and has announced some changes that will reduce pressure on teaching time, and help ensure those young people taking exams next year have the same opportunities to progress as the students before them.