Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the end-of-year examinations are fair for pupils who have been absent from school due to covid-19 infection control measures.

It is our firm intention that exams will go ahead this year. It is of great importance to give pupils the opportunity to sit their exams and we have put measures in place to ensure they can do so fairly.

We have worked with Ofqual to put in place several adaptations in GCSEs, AS and A levels to support the safe and fair delivery of exams during this academic year to recognise the disruption pupils have already faced, and to account for further disruption. The adaptations being made were welcomed during our joint consultation with Ofqual and include:

• a choice of topics in GCSE English literature, history, ancient history, and choice of content in geography
• provision of advance information which will set out the focus of exam content in subjects where there is no choice of topic or content, to be released on 7 February
• changes to the requirements for the delivery of practical assessments in a range of subjects
• provision of support materials (for example, formula sheets) for exams in GCSE maths, physics, and combined science

Depending on the purpose of the qualification, a range of adaptations for vocational technical qualifications and other general qualifications have been made, including:

• a reduction in the number of internal assessments, whilst ensuring all content is taught
• a reduction in the number of hours of work experience or work placement
• longer and more assessment windows
• social distancing adaptations (for example, a professional discussion in place of certain practical activities)
• greater flexibility in invigilation rules (for example, allowing subject teachers to invigilate their own subject)

In balancing public confidence in qualifications with fairness, Ofqual have also confirmed that 2022 will be a transition year for grading. Grades will be set at a mid-point between 2021 and pre-pandemic grades for GCSEs, AS and A levels. In 2023, Ofqual plans to return to results that are in line with those in pre-pandemic years.

This package of adaptations, combined with Ofqual’s approach to grading, provides unprecedented support to maximise fairness and help pupils reach their potential.