Commenting on the announcements on changes to GCSE, AS and A level exams in England next summer, Community Assistant General Secretary (Voice Community education section) Deborah Lawson said:
“We’re pleased that DfE and Ofqual have presented information about the 2022 exams in a more timely manner than previously. This will allow teachers and students to prepare for the months to come.
“We also welcome the decision for teachers to be given advance sight of the focus of exam content, and other adaptations to support subjects such as English literature, history and geography.
“As we noted in our consultation response, it’s important that students are able to access as much of the course content as possible, but should only be assessed on that which they have had the opportunity to study properly.
“However, we are shocked by the announcement on grading.
‘Nothing could be more damaging to the students currently working towards their GCSEs and A Levels than to be told that, no matter how hard they work, their grades will be artificially deflated by an arbitrary amount.
“How is this clear and transparent, and what message are we sending to teachers and students who have experienced significant disruption and who may yet suffer more because of COVID?
“We will make this point vociferously in our ongoing conversations with Ofqual and the DfE!”
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© Community Trade Union 2021