Today (Mon 12 July) the government launches a short consultation
on proposed changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels
in 2022.
Nick Brook, deputy general secretary of school leaders’ union
NAHT, said: “This consultation is necessary but yet another
demonstration that the government is way behind the curve when it
comes to the impact of the pandemic on education.
“In reality, all of this should have been put to bed weeks, if
not months, ago. We are only days away from the end of term.
School leaders wanted decisions for adaptations and contingencies
made before the summer break, with details before the start of
term in September, not least because August will be a busy month
supporting students with their results and working on reviews and
appeals.
“Staff and students preparing for exams in 2022 have endured
significant disruption to teaching and learning over the course
of the last year. While we hope next academic year won’t see the
same levels of disruption, learning time has been lost. Giving
students what is effectively a broad revision list just a few
weeks before exams begin will not ensure fairness for all
students taking their exams next year. Such late information
could serve to advantage those students who have not experienced
so much disruption as opposed to supporting those students who
have had most.”
Commenting on the decision not to consult on contingency plans
until the Autumn, Mr Brook said: “Delaying the decisions about
contingency plans until later in the autumn term will feed
uncertainty and stress for students and staff. They must be given
some clarity about the “what ifs” in the year ahead. It is vital
that the government learns from the late decisions and guidance
this year which left school leaders and teachers with little more
than half a term to implement the alternative awarding process.
“NAHT would like to see that school leaders and their teams are
given the right information in time for the start of the autumn
term. This will mean they can plan students’ teaching and
learning over the time they have remaining, covering as much of
the curriculum as possible, whilst also making sure that students
are well prepared for their examinations.”
