HEADTEACHERS at schools in Winsford and Middlewich are calling for further clarification from the government after last week’s announcement that GCSEs and A-Levels will go ahead in the summer.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson guaranteed to the House of Commons that students will sit exams at the end of the school year, with measures in place in order to limit the impact of disruption from coronavirus.
These measures include generous grading, advance notice of topics to be covered and exam aids such as formula sheets.
Although the announcement means less anxiety and uncertainty for both students and teachers, headteachers feel there are still questions to be answered.
Heidi Thurland, headteacher of Middlewich High School, said: “It’s good that we’re having a dialogue and that [the government] haven’t just maintained their original stance.
“The issue is that we’re going to have to wait until January now to understand the actual concessions.
Middlewich High School headteacher Heidi Thurland
“Frustratingly, that’s another three or four weeks – or longer – of waiting. It affects the curriculum we’re planning and I don’t want to waste time.
“I want to make sure we’re delivering the right knowledge to children and preparing them effectively.”
Gary Evans, headteacher of Winsford Academy, said: “In terms of timing, it was a case of the sooner the better, so it’s good that we’ve had it before Christmas.
“The vast majority of what came out last week seems very sensible, but it’s the practicalities of how the exams will actually look and what materials we as a school and the students will get prior to them.”
The government’s decision is at odds with Wales and Scotland, where some exams have already been scrapped in favour of other forms of assessment.
Winsford Academy headteacher Gary Evans welcoming back students earlier this year
But headteachers are confident in their students’ ability to overcome 2020’s difficulties and perform during exam season.
Ms Thurland said: “We’ve been extremely fortunate. Our students have been in and they’ve had a term of education.
“I said to them that whatever we have to prepare them for, we’ll prepare them for, and we have confidence that they’ll be ready for these exams.”
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The students are also pleased they will have a chance to prove themselves, rather than relying on teacher assessment.
Mr Evans said: “Most of them want to do the exams. They want to prove that they can pass them without just getting given the grades like last year.
“It’s reassured them that they’re going to happen.”
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