Assessment
The latest news and analysis on exams in the UK, including key dates, timetables, results and statistics for Sats, GCSEs and A levels
Wednesday
12th May 2021
Covid-proof next year’s 11-plus tests, grammars advised
Grammars must use catch-up funding to support applicants from poorer households, says DfE
Teachers ‘being set up to take the fall’ over exams
Opposition MSPs also hit out at ‘farcical suggestion’ that pupils will be punished for sharing exam details
‘Exam details on TikTok are symptom of flawed system’
Some students are facing four exams where they should have had one – and nobody is happy, says this pupil
Warning over ‘unacceptable’ TikTok GCSE paper trading
Publishing exam papers on social media – including where there is ‘evidence of teacher involvement’ – would be grounds for investigation, says Ofqual
Tuesday
11th May 2021
Don’t criticise schools ‘left in a vacuum’, Ofqual told
School leaders claim they are being ‘ticked off’ for following Ofqual guidance on GCSE and A-level grading
Grade deadline move for ‘unduly disadvantaged’ students
New September deadline for grading a ‘very small’ number of students, who will be given online study support this summer
It’s Sats week - do we miss the tests at all?
Do you fondly recall the miptor? Or the earthship? In this Sats-free year, Michael Tidd reminisces about the tests
Monday
10th May 2021
SQA warns of penalties for ‘exam’ details on TikTok
SQA writes to schools after 91¶¶Òõ Scotland story reveals how details of ‘exams’ are being shared on TikTok
GCSEs: Don’t pressure teachers on grades, students told
Ofqual warns GCSE and A-level students that it is ‘really important’ they don’t pressure teachers to raise their grades
Why can’t Ofqual tell us the plan for GCSEs in 2022?
Ofqual could make our lives a lot easier by telling us before September how GCSEs will work next year, says Adam Riches
‘Ofqual is telling us off for following its guidance’
Ofqual says schools shouldn’t focus too heavily on assessment – but testing gives students a chance, says Vicky Bingham
Exam questions shared on TikTok ‘SQA black market’
Thousands of pupils exchange information on social media about ‘exam’ papers