Today, the Labour Party set out its plans for fair grading for
students sitting their GCSEs, A-levels and BTECs in the summer of
2022.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT,
said: “We have pressed for months for the government to provide
information by the start of the autumn term, not only on
adaptations to examinations for 2022, but also on its contingency
plans. Students deserve clarity and staff need this information
so they can take it into account when planning for the new
academic year.
“There are no guarantees that the government will meet this
timescale, which will be problematic for next year’s exam
cohorts.
“School and college leaders are already thinking further ahead
than this in relation to the students who will start their
A-level and GCSE courses this September, taking exams in 2023.
They have had to endure a great deal of disruption to their
education already, although we don’t know what the new academic
year will bring.
“Even though 2023 might seem a long way off for ministers,
schools, colleges and their students cannot afford for time to be
wasted in the new academic year. It is not unreasonable to expect
the government to be looking forward to 2023’s exam series to
avoid the late decisions which have caused so many issues over
the past two years.”
