Students likely to follow UK on summer exams
BAILIWICK students are waiting to hear how they will be impacted by likely changes to A-level and GCSE exams because of the pandemic.
BTECs will go ahead as scheduled this month, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated that summer exams are likely to be cancelled in England, with schools there shut until at least mid-February as part of the effort to stem the rising number of cases of Covid-19.
More details are expected today.
It was confirmed yesterday that more than a million people in England have the coronavirus, with infections reaching a one-day record of 60,916, while 1.3 million across the UK have been vaccinated.
There was no update yesterday on Guernsey’s vaccination programme or when the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine might be approved for use.
‘Bailiwick students sit many of the same exams, with the same exam boards, as their counterparts in the England and other parts of the UK,’ said Laurie Baker, Education, Sport and Culture strategic education advisor.
‘So we are almost certainly going to be bound by the directions they give and the subsequent arrangements that our awarding organisations for GCSE, A-level, IB, technical and vocational qualifications provide.
‘While Guernsey students have been in school since June – a fact we are delighted about and should certainly be celebrated when we consider the impact on other jurisdictions throughout the world – it is important that they follow the same process as all other students sitting the same exams.’
Exemptions for Bailiwick students are unlikely as a uniform approach is taken to ensure that all students on the same course sit the same exam at the same time.
‘At this stage we have to wait for further guidance to be issued by exam boards, but we will make sure our students and their families are informed of the final situation as soon as possible.’
Ms Baker reassured students that, as was done last year, every action possible will be taken to ensure 2021’s exam cohort will not be disadvantaged.
At almost 10pm on Monday, the UK’s Department for Education announced BTEC exams are going ahead starting this week.
Louise Misselke, principal of Guernsey College of Further Education said: ‘At this moment, because we are in such a great place in Guernsey, the fact that is is going ahead is a benefit to our students.
#All of our education facilities are open, the college is open and it is great for our students that they can continue with their assessments.’
Some students are sitting exams now, with others later in the week, said Mrs Misselke.
‘With exams going ahead on schedule, our students are not left with any uncertainty– at this point. That is the critical thing.
‘This is a rapidly moving situation and we are expecting more information from our awarding organisations.’
Since the beginning of the pandemic, many education providers have become more fluid to meet swiftly changing guidance.
‘The decision which is there today may change by the end of the week. It is what it is, and we are very fortunate. We just have to wait and see, and we will adjust as necessary.’
