Secondary
Friday
GCSEs 2021: We have tried to reduce burden on teachers
The head of the Joint Council for Qualifications outlines the thinking behind the approach to GCSE and A-level grading
IA levels: Pupils may face wait to go to university
A positive Covid test could mean students are unable to sit any component of their course and may miss out on an assessed grade – and so have to wait an entire year to access higher education
GCSEs 2021: Teachers can base grades on oral assessment
Spoken assessments can be used for GCSE and A-level grades for students where other evidence is not available, exam boards say
GCSEs 2021: Exam board grade guidance finally released
‘Frustrated’ heads concerned that teachers now have just 12 weeks to ‘deliver and quality-assure’ A-level and GCSE grades
Petition calls for SQA to end ‘exams in all but name’
Exam-like ‘final assessments’ described as an ‘outrage’, given supposed cancellation of exams in 2021
Exclusive: DfE wanted to move 2021 GCSE exams online
Covid has sparked a DfE shift in attitude towards digital GCSEs and A levels that may mean the end of paper exams
Thursday
GCSEs 2021: Will grading teachers ‘play by the rules’?
Williamson warned that teachers may overcompensate for 2020 grading parsimony if they feel their students lost out last year
GCSEs 2021: ‘Wild West chaos’ among 5 grading fears
Influential committee of MPs writes to Gavin Williamson outlining major concerns about this year’s GCSEs and A levels
GCSEs 2021: Teachers to be ‘lambasted’ over grading
‘Entirely unethical’ for government to be ‘hiding behind’ teachers, who will take blame for A-level and GCSE grade inflation, warns NEU
Wednesday
GCSEs 2021: ‘Inappropriate’ private tutor help warning
Work used as evidence for A-level and GCSE grades that does not seem ‘authentic’ will be investigated by exam boards
GCSEs: Guard teachers from grades pressure, says Ofqual
Schools told to protect teachers from students, parents or carers asking for grades ‘higher than the evidence supports’
