GCSEs and A-levels 2021: Government insists exams will go ahead in England despite Lockdown 2

A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘Exams are the fairest way of judging a student’s performance, which is why they will go ahead next year’.

The Government has insisted that GCSE and A-level exams will go ahead in England despite the new national lockdown. 

Under the Government’s plans, exams are due to start three weeks later than normal in 2021.

A Department for Education spokesperson told i: “Exams are the fairest way of judging a student’s performance, which is why they will go ahead next year, underpinned by contingency measures developed in partnership with the sector.

“Over the coming weeks we will jointly identify any risks to exams and the measures needed to address potential disruption, with fairness for students continuing to be our priority.”

Related Articles:

• Dozens of headteachers urge Government to promise they won’t cancel exams in 2021 (The Telegraph)
• Parents say 2021 exams must be cancelled around UK as children are missing so much school over Covid (iNews)
• Ofqual to make exams ‘less daunting’ and to grade ‘more generously’ (iNews)
• ‘Plan B’ ready if GCSEs are halted again next summer (The Telegraph)
• Third Covid wave 'could cancel GCSE and A-level exams' (TES)
• Covid-19: PM announces four-week England lockdown (BBC News)
• Higher education: new national restrictions guidance (GOV.UK)