Nearly two-thirds of headteachers have called for a 75 per cent rebate on exam fees this year following the cancellation of public exams, a survey has shown.

The survey, conducted by the Association of School and College Leaders of over 450 headteachers and principals in the UK, found that 65 per cent favoured a rebate of at least 75 per cent of fees for GCSE and A-level exams.

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In total, 45 per cent of respondents supported a rebate of 75 per cent, while a further 20 per cent of respondents supported a rebate of more than 75 per cent.

Geoff Barton, ASCL’s general secretary, said: “Last year, rebates of around 25 per cent were given to schools and colleges, but our survey shows there is a real strength of feeling for something more significant this year.

“Last year, schools and colleges were asked to assess students on the basis of the work that had been completed prior to the lockdown in March, but this year they have been asked to carry out an entire assessment process from scratch in the summer term.

“They have had to do all the marking, grading and quality assurance that would normally be carried out by exam boards - so it seems pretty reasonable that they should receive a rebate that is commensurate with this massive task.

“We understand that the exam boards have incurred costs such as managing an external quality assurance process but it will be crucial that they set out very clearly and publicly an itemised list of their costs together with the resulting rebate that will be paid to centres, and that they do this as soon as possible.”

Teachers have previously expressed frustration with how much marking of GCSE and A-level assessments they are doing this year. A recent Tes survey revealed that 8 in 10 teachers thought the workload for teacher-assessed grading was too much.

ASCL said that in 2020, the average GCSE cost £42.02 while the average A level cost £101.44.

“Among respondents to our survey, the average total bill for all exam fees (GCSEs, AS levels, A levels and vocational qualifications) this summer is £116,967 for schools with a sixth form, and £75,238 for schools without a sixth form,” it added.

Ofqual and the Joint Council for Qualifications declined to comment.