Freddie Whittaker | Schools Week

Exams 2020: Ofqual confirms final appeals process for GCSEs and A-levels

Schools will be able to appeal against GCSE and A-level results if they feel data used to standardise grades was not a “reliable basis” for predicting 2020 results, Ofqual has confirmed. The exams regulator has set out the full arrangements for appeals this year, confirming that schools will be able to appeal if they were […]

Sixth forms cry foul over ‘unwelcome’ rule change restricting use of 16-19 tuition fund

A rule change which restricts the use of the 16 to 19 tuition fund for sixth forms and colleges has been branded “unwelcome”. The Sixth Form Colleges Association has warned that a new stipulation that the funding can only be spent on students who failed to achieve a grade 4 in English or maths at […]

Pupils in local lockdown areas ‘will be returning to school in September’, insists Gibb

Pupils in areas currently under local lockdowns will return to school in September, the schools minister has insisted. Nick Gibb told the Today programme this morning that all children will be returning to school in September “including in those areas that are currently subject to a local lockdown”. But he admitted the government can’t “decree” […]

Schools should be ‘first to open, last to close’ in future lockdowns, says children’s commissioner

Schools should be “first to open, last to close” in any future coronavirus lockdowns, the children’s commissioner for England has said. Anne Longfield’s office has published a briefing paper called Putting children first in future lockdowns, in which she insists education should be “prioritised over other sectors” if the country locks down again. If a […]

Labour seeks assurances over GCSE and A-level results amid claims of unfairness in Scotland

Labour is seeking “urgent assurances” from the government that the GCSE and A-level results process in England will treat pupils fairly, amid claims poorer pupils in Scotland were penalised under a similar system. Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, has written to her opposite number Gavin Williamson for reassurances that he “will not allow similar […]

Exams 2021: All the AS and A-level changes, subject by subject

The exams regulator Ofqual has confirmed the changes that will be made to AS and A-level assessments next year. The decisions were published in the outcome to a consultation on the proposals for exams in 2021, which was drawn up in response to concerns about the continuing impact of coronavirus. The changes proposed are supposed to address […]

Exams 2021: All the GCSE changes, subject by subject

The exams regulator Ofqual has confirmed the changes that will be made to GCSE assessments next year. The decisions were published in the outcome to a consultation on the proposals for exams in 2021, which was drawn up in response to concerns about the continuing impact of coronavirus. The changes proposed are supposed to address […]

Exams 2021: Ofqual confirms changes in certain subjects, but no decision yet on delaying exams

Schools will be offered a choice of topics on which their pupils will be examined in GCSE English literature, history and ancient history next year, Ofqual has announced. The exams regulator has published the outcome of its consultation on how GCSEs and A-levels will be assessed in 2021. However, no decision has been made on […]

School facilities hire firm goes into administration

A company that helps schools to rent out their sports halls, football pitches and classrooms is going into administration after business stopped “overnight” because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Manchester-based School Letting Solutions previously worked with more than 300 schools to generate additional income from their facilities. But the firm has had to call in administrators […]