DfE announces package of measures to support students taking exams and assessments in 2021

The DfE has today announced a package of ‘exceptional measures’ designed to make exams and assessments for students sitting them next year ‘as fair as possible’ and ‘manage the disruption caused by COVID-19’.

In October, the DfE confirmed that GCSE, AS and A Level exams would go ahead next summer with a delayed timetable to help make up for lost learning time. The measures announced today follow discussions with exam boards, the regulator Ofqual and key stakeholders. While some measures will apply only to GCSE, AS and A Level exams, the DfE also referenced the adaptations being made to vocational and technical qualifications to ensure parity.

Here’s our quick summary of the five key measures announced today by the Secretary of State:

1. ‘Generous’ grading in summer 21 aligned to national outcomes in summer 2020
2. Advance notice of topic areas in GCSEs, AS and A Levels to focus revision
3. Exam aids – such as formula sheets – provided in some exams to build confidence
4. A contingency exam series shortly after the main summer exams giving students a second chance to sit a paper if they missed the exam series due to illness or self isolation. A ‘validated teacher informed assessment’ if a student misses all opportunities to take a paper
5. A new expert group to look at differential learning loss and monitor variation in the impact of the pandemic across the country.

Further details on contingencies and adaptations to exams will be provided in the New Year. As well as the measures we’ve summarised, the DfE announced that test and exam results will not be included on performance tables this year and that full, graded Ofsted inspections will not start till the summer term.

We know you will need more information about what all the measures that have been announced today mean for you and your students. We will provide regular updates with the latest information to keep you fully up to speed.