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19
WQ.200/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION BY SENATOR K.L. MOORE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 2nd JUNE 2020
Question
Will the Minister provide details of any support given to students who should have been sitting A-level or G.C.S.E. exams this year, including –
- the number of hours of tuition;
- any pastoral care that has been provided;
- whether any enrichment programme has been established; and
- whether opportunities are to be given to students who are dissatisfied with their results to be able to re-sit' their exams?
Answer
- Ofqual stated "There is no requirement to set additional mock exams or homework tasks for the purposes of determining a centre assessment grade, and no student should be disadvantaged if they are unable to complete any work set after schools were closed. Where additional work has been completed after schools and colleges were closed on 20 March, Heads of Centre should exercise caution where that evidence suggests a change in performance. In many cases this is likely to reflect the circumstances and context in which the work is done."
The number of hours of tuition varies greatly across schools. With no requirement for additional tuition in accordance with the Ofqual guidance above, the majority have concentrated on providing support with bridging work to assist with moves to other educational establishments. Students studying for BTEC Technical Awards or other Level 2 and 3 qualifications not affected by the cancellation of exams have continued to receive subject specific tuition. At Highlands this ranges from 15 – 22hrs per week.
- Schools have continued to support their students and maintain contact. In some circumstances this has included careers/UCAS support, counsellors have been available. Some schools have continued with online assemblies.
- enrichment programmes include research projects, employment preparation tasks, activities, competitions, challenges and online tutorials.
- If students are dissatisfied with their grades, they will have the opportunity to sit an exam at the nearest available opportunity. There is currently an Ofqual consultation, which ends on 8 June, on the possibility of an Autumn 2020 exam series. If an Autumn exam series is not agreed following the consultation, there will be an opportunity for students to sit exams in Summer 2021.