The exams regulator has said it will publish detailed information about the timetable for this summer’s GCSE and A-level grades next week, stating that it has made “considerable progress” in implementing education secretary Gavin Williamson’s proposals to use teacher assessments and other data as a basis for grades.

“Students understandably want reassurance, and teachers urgently need to know what to do, and when. We expect to publish detailed information about the process and timetable which will apply this summer next week,” the regulator said.

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“This will include the steps we would like teachers to follow and more detailed guidance on how to consider the full range of evidence they will have available when submitting their assessment grades.”

The regulator said it was in discussions with teaching representatives to ensure that its plans were “manageable and appropriate”.

“We will outline by Easter the process we will follow to make sure grades are fair across schools and colleges, as well as our proposals for appeals. We will also say more as soon as possible about the arrangements for additional exams in the new academic year,” the statement said.

“We want to reassure students waiting for news that we are doing everything we can to make sure they are not disadvantaged by these unprecedented circumstances.”

The news follows the announcement from the Department for Education last week that this year’s GCSEs and A levels were to be cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak, and that teacher assessments and other data would be used to provide a “calculated grade” for students.