Exams

Gibb and Ofqual to face education committee hearing over exams

Ofsted safeguarding Spielman catch-up exams committee

Schools minister Nick Gibb and the leadership of exams regulator Ofqual will face questions from MPs at an education committee hearing on this summer’s results and plans for 2022.

The committee has announced today that Gibb will appear alongside Ofqual’s interim chief regulator Simon Lebus and interim chair Ian Bauckham.

It comes as Lebus, who has been in-post since January, prepares to hand over the reins to Jo Saxton, who was chosen earlier this year as the next permanent chief regulator.

Saxton was previously a policy adviser to education secretary Gavin Williamson.

private candidates exams
Nick Gibb

The announcement of the hearing on September 7 follows the release of GCSE and A-level results last week.

Following the cancellation of formal exams and a move to teacher assessment, the proportion of top grades issued increased to 30 per cent at GCSE and 44 per cent at A-level.

As well as concerns about grade inflation, the results last week also prompted fears about growing inequality among some groups.

Ofqual analysis showed longstanding attainment gaps widening for both black and poorer students, while GCSE results also saw disadvantaged pupils fall further behind.

The committee will ask panellists about lessons learned from the 2020-21 academic year, and about the government’s plans for exams in 2022.

Ministers have said these will go ahead, but with some adjustments in an attempt to address concerns about missed schooling.

Committee chair Robert Halfon, pictured, said: “Students, along with their hardworking teachers and support staff, deserve to be congratulated on some outstanding results after overcoming all the challenges posed in this most difficult of years.

“Ofqual and the DfE must now focus on ensuring all young people, particularly those that have missed out the most on learning during the pandemic, are properly supported in taking exams next summer.

“There also needs to be a proper plan for returning to more normal grading standards to reverse the grade inflation that has been baked into the system.”

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Exams

Exams: Try rest breaks before asking for extra time, schools told 

New JCQ guidance says supervised rest breaks 'often more effective and appropriate' than extra exam time

Ruth Lucas
Exams

Poorer pupils do better in more disadvantaged schools, report says

Researchers also find worst-performing areas for disadvantaged kids likely to have more poor white youngsters

Jack Dyson
Exams

WJEC exam board fined £350k after wrong food GCSE results

Ofqual to issue WJEC with six-figure penalty after 1,527 food preparation and nutrition GCSE pupils received incorrect results

Jack Dyson
Exams

Schools ‘over a barrel’ as exam fees rise again

Cost of exams will increase at a greater rate than school funding in 2026, with some provided by AQA...

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *