Coronavirus updates

Information for schools, students and parents on how GCSE, AS, A level, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and awarded in summer 2020 includes the following guidance documents:

Guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers: Summer 2020 grades for GCSE, AS and A level, Extended Project Qualification and Advanced Extension Award in maths (updated 02/07/2020 to reflect autumn 2020 consultation decision outcomes and 2021 exam series consultation proposals)
Information for Heads of Centre, Heads of Department and teachers on the submission of Centre assessment grades: Summer 2020 grades for GCSE, AS and A level, Extended Project Qualification and Advanced Extension Award in maths (updated 22/05/2020)
Letter to students – summer 2020 grading (03/04/2020)
Letter to students – summer 2020 grading – BSL signed (added 16/04/2020)
Letter to Heads of Centre – general qualifications Summer 2020 arrangements (added 12/06/2020)
Summer 2020 results for vocational, technical and other qualifications – Advice for teachers, trainers and tutors; learners, parents and carers; employers and professional bodies (updated 16/06/2020)
Guidance for Centres – The awarding of vocational and technical qualifications, and other general qualifications, in summer 2020 (added 15/05/2020)
Letter to Heads of Centre – Awarding results in vocational and technical qualifications in summer 2020 (added 18/06/2020)
Guidance for Heads of Centre, Heads of Department and teachers on objectivity in grading and ranking (added 15/05/2020)

Exceptional arrangements for assessment and grading in 2020

Decisions on exceptional arrangements for assessment and grading in 2020 of specified general qualifications – GCSEs, AS, A levels, Extended Project Qualifications and the Advanced Extension Award in maths (published 22/05/2020)
Private candidate policy update (published 30/04/2020)
Update on summer 2020 GCSEs, AS and A level grades for students in year 10 and below and for private candidates (published 05/05/2020)
Decisions on exceptional arrangements for assessment and grading in 2020 of vocational, technical and other general qualifications (published 22/05/2020)
Decisions on an additional GCSE, AS and A level exam series in autumn 2020 (30/06/2020)

Consultations

(02/07/2020) Open consultation Proposed changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2021 This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 16 July 2020
(30/06/2020) Open consultation Consultation on statutory guidance in relation to the GQCovid regulatory framework This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 14 July 2020

The Ofqual Blog Recent blogs include:

(22/05/2020) The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on exams around the world

Exam system contingency plan: England, Wales and Northern Ireland (last updated 02/03/2020)

DfE

Latest from the Department for Education

Latest from the DfE includes:

Speech Education Secretary’s statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 02 July 2020 (03/07/2020)

Correspondence Arrangements for examinations and assessments in 2020/21 (02/07/2020)

Autumn exam series Responsibility for autumn GCSE, AS and A level exam series (22/05/2020)

Collection Guidance for schools: coronavirus (COVID-19) (updated 02/07/2020) What school leaders, teachers and school staff need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – a collection of documents including:

Guidance for other providers including:
- Further and higher education: coronavirus (COVID-19) What colleges and universities and other providers need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Day-to-day running of a school
Safe working and protective measures
Safeguarding, vulnerable children and young people
Special educational needs and disability (SEND)
Remote education and online learning
Finance and administration
Accountability and data collections including:
- (08/04/2020) Coronavirus (COVID-19): school and college performance measures
Exams and assessments
- (updated 22/05/2020) Coronavirus (COVID-19): cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020 (Published 20 March 2020
- (updated 02/07/2020) Awarding qualifications in summer 2020
Residential settings
Teacher training
Changes to regulations or legislation

Education and childcare Guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students including:

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (updated 02/07/2020)

Education in the media blog includes Inaccurate petition on A level and GCSE grades this year (08/07/2020)

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Qualifications Wales

Coronavirus – Covid-19 Latest news and blogs

Coronavirus – Covid 19 FAQs

The latest from Qualifications Wales (updated 08/07/2020) includes:

Statement on Ofqual position paper regarding Vocational and Technical Qualifications and Assessments 2020-21

Information for centres

(03/07/2020) Letter to schools and colleges, 3 July 2020 re exam series 2020 and 2021

See earlier information here

Qualifications Wales statements See statements here

Stakeholder statements See statements here

DfES

Latest from the Department for Education and Skills (Wales)

GOV.WALES Education and childcare: coronavirus Guidance and services

CCEA (Northern Ireland)

Latest CCEA news

Frequently Asked Questions Summer Awarding

The latest news includes:

(01/07/2020) CCEA Marks Official End of School Year

See earlier news here

Department of Education (Northern Ireland)

Department of Education releases on COVID-19 (coronavirus) provides the latest information in relation to Covid-19 (coronavirus) and its impact on education services

BBC News

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