Secondary
Monday
9th Aug 2021
GCSEs 2021: Appeals ‘will help well-heeled pupils’
Select committee chair Robert Halfon raises concern over ‘sharp-elbowed’ parents appealing after this year’s GCSE and A level results day
GCSEs 2021: TAGs ‘more accurate’ than exams says Ofqual
Interim Ofqual chief says teacher-assessed grades better reflect students’ potential than ‘snapshot’ exams – later clarifying he only meant this year
Exams 2021: Why the IB’s MYP could inspire GCSE reform
If we want a truly modern assessment system, then the IB’s MYP – which weathered the pandemic well – could offer plenty of inspiration
Friday
6th Aug 2021
GCSE and A levels 2021: How Ofqual will review appeals
Ofqual reveals how it will be investigating appeal complaints but says it cannot force boards to ‘look at appeals again’
‘Stop exam obsession’ says former catch-up tsar
Sir Kevan Collins says schools have been left in ‘invidious position’ over how to assess students fairly in pandemic
87% of teachers lacked GCSE and A-level grade aid
EXCLUSIVE: Teachers say ‘vague’ guidance from Ofqual and exam boards led to uneven processes between schools and colleges
A levels 2021: Higher grades could become ‘new norm’
Awarding higher grades to make up for lost learning could be ‘killing with kindness’, expert claims
Wednesday
4th Aug 2021
SQA boss on exams turmoil and 18 months of Covid
In her first extended interview since Covid began, SQA chief executive says the body has ‘absolutely learned’ from a turbulent 18 months
DfE’s state vs private schools A-level grade gap fears
Exclusive: Concern in government over wider attainment gap between state and private schools led to pre-results day briefing being considered