ASCL comment on Education Secretary’s exams letter

Commenting on the Education Secretary’s letter to Ofqual setting out further detail on the arrangements for replacing exams, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“The Education Secretary’s letter sets out broad and sensible parameters for assessing GCSEs and A-levels following the cancellation of exams but, as ever, the devil will be in the detail of how this is turned into reality.

“We are relieved to see confirmation that no algorithm will be applied this year following last summer’s grading debacle.

“One of the key issues, however, will be precisely how any system of externally set assessment would work and how this can be done in a way that ensures fairness for students who have been heavily disrupted by the pandemic.

“It is vital that the final plans not only provide fairness and consistency but that they are also workable for schools, colleges and teaching staff who will have to put them into practice.

“We look forward to engaging in the forthcoming consultation and we will do everything possible to support this process.”