Haringey coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
Government reveals how GCSEs and A-Levels will be graded
All GCSE and A-level results will be determined by teachers this summer, with school pupils and college students only assessed on what they have been taught, the government has announced.
In addition, results will be awarded slightly earlier in August than usual so anyone who seeks to appeal their grades has enough time to do so.
The move was announced to ensure those working towards GCSE and A-level results this year are not hindered by the school closures brought about by the pandemic.
The main parts of the announcement on how students and pupils will be assessed are:
- Teachers will draw on a range of evidence when determining grades, including the optional use of questions provided by exam boards as well as mock exams and course work such as essays or in-class tests.
- No algorithm will be used to determine any GCSE or A-level result this year and every student will have the right to appeal.
- Teachers will submit grades to exam boards by Friday 18 June, allowing as much teaching time as possible before teachers make assessments.
- Results days for GCSE, A-level and some vocational qualifications will take place during the week beginning 9 August – the second week of the month. Usually, A-level results fall on the second full week of August and GCSEs on the third. The earlier date will provide time for appeals.
- Students studying vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) - often taught alongside GCSEs and A-levels - will also receive grades assessed by teachers although exams and assessments will continue where needed to demonstrate the necessary professional standard in an occupation.
- Multiple checks will be carried out by schools and colleges to ensure the consistency of teachers’ judgements and exam boards will conduct their own checks through random sampling and targeted scrutiny where needed.
The announcement follows the government’s examinations regulator Ofqual holding its largest ever public consultation with more than 100,000 responses – more than half (52%) from pupils. More details can be found here.
Priority vaccinations for individuals with learning difficulties
People on the GP Learning Disability Register in England will now get priority vaccinations and be invited to receive their jabs in the coming days, the government has announced.
Those registered with their doctor as having a learning disability will now be considered part of cohort group six following new advice, meaning they are grouped with those judged at risk due to certain underlying health conditions.
In addition to this, the government has released details of new measures to help children catch-up on their education after schools reopen in March, including funding for summer schools if pupils need them.
Both items of news follow the Prime Minister’s announcement of his ‘roadmap’ to easing national lockdown guidelines in England with all schools and colleges reopening on Monday 8 March.
The education catch-up measures for pupils that have been announced include:
- Funding for secondary schools to deliver face-to-face summer schools, if needed, targeted at pupils most disadvantaged by the pandemic and lockdown, including younger children
- A range of online resources for teachers and pupils in the summer term and summer holidays aimed at helping young people get ready for the next academic year
- A one-off Recovery Premium for state primary and secondary schools providing extra funding to support disadvantaged students. Schools will decide how to use this
More information on the government’s education catch-up plans can be found here. Full details on schools and colleges in England reopening on Monday 8 March can be found here.
Online COVID-19 vaccination booking available for those aged 65 and over
People who are aged 65 and over, or clinically vulnerable, and have not yet been invited by the NHS to take their vaccines, do not need to wait for a letter – they can book their appointment online.
Those who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, which includes everyone in the first five priority groups, can book their vaccination appointment by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination (external link) or calling 119 for free.
Eligible individuals can also book an appointment at a vaccination centre, community pharmacy, or by calling their GP surgery.
People who have previously been offered the vaccine and declined it, can also use these methods to book their vaccination appointments.
The NHS is continuing to follow the official advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and is vaccinating those most at risk first, and those who work closest with them.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme please visit GOV.UK (external link).
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