Schools in local lockdown areas will be expected to run autumn GCSEs and A levels, the government has said.
In new guidance published today, the Department for Education has set out an expectation for all schools to run the autumn exam series, including in areas where local restrictions apply.
“It is our expectation that schools and colleges will run autumn series exams, including where the school or college is only open for smaller student groups,” the guidance states.
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“We also expect schools and colleges in areas under local restrictions to run exams. Where candidates are travelling to or within an area under local restrictions to take exams, they should refer to the local restrictions guidance. Candidates should expect to be able to travel for the purpose of taking exams.”
Coronavirus: ‘Alternative sites’ for GCSE and A-level exams
The DfE added that some schools, including those in local lockdown areas, will be able to use “alternative sites” for the purpose of hosting exams.
However, local conditions may “necessitate closure or restriction of a site at the last minute”, the department said.
“In the unlikely event that this takes place, schools and colleges can contact the DfE exam support service to seek an additional venue,” the guidance adds.
The DfE has also said that candidates who have taken the “minimum necessary assessments for their subject in the autumn series” can apply for special consideration and still receive a grade, even if they are not able to sit all of the exams.
But while those who have completed a minimum of 25 per cent of the assessments in the subject can receive a grade, “those candidates who take less than the minimum necessary assessments and therefore cannot be awarded a grade in the autumn series will have the option to enter exams in summer 2021”, the department said.
The department also said both GCSE and A-level exams in the autumn series “cannot be rescheduled”.
