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Anxiety over plans for next year's exams, MPs told Anxiety over plans for next year's exams, MPs told
(about 3 hours later)
There is "a tsunami of anxiety hitting schools" over what will happen with next year's GCSE and A-level exams in England, MPs have heard.There is "a tsunami of anxiety hitting schools" over what will happen with next year's GCSE and A-level exams in England, MPs have heard.
The Commons Education Select Committee heard calls for the impact of school closures on next year's exam candidates to be addressed.The Commons Education Select Committee heard calls for the impact of school closures on next year's exam candidates to be addressed.
Professor of Social Mobility Lee Elliot Major, called for special arrangements to be made for awarding grades in 2021.Professor of Social Mobility Lee Elliot Major, called for special arrangements to be made for awarding grades in 2021.
Ofqual told the committee contingency plans were being drawn up.Ofqual told the committee contingency plans were being drawn up.
Most secondary school pupils have been out of school since the end of March.Most secondary school pupils have been out of school since the end of March.
And on Tuesday, the government announced it was ditching plans to bring all primary pupils back to school for a month before the summer break.And on Tuesday, the government announced it was ditching plans to bring all primary pupils back to school for a month before the summer break.
Although some secondary students are due to be invited back for some face-to-face time with their teachers, lessons are not expected to resume until September at the earliest.Although some secondary students are due to be invited back for some face-to-face time with their teachers, lessons are not expected to resume until September at the earliest.
'Really worried''Really worried'
There are increasing concerns that schools may still experience disruption, with pupils being offered a mix of online learning and face-to-face teaching throughout the autumn.There are increasing concerns that schools may still experience disruption, with pupils being offered a mix of online learning and face-to-face teaching throughout the autumn.
Prof Elliot Major, former chief executive of the Sutton Trust education equality charity, said he was "really worried" about the eight million children who are out of school currently.Prof Elliot Major, former chief executive of the Sutton Trust education equality charity, said he was "really worried" about the eight million children who are out of school currently.
He said: "There is a tsunami of anxiety hitting schools about the one million children who are going to be taking their GCSEs and A-levels next year."He said: "There is a tsunami of anxiety hitting schools about the one million children who are going to be taking their GCSEs and A-levels next year."
He said there needed to be clarity about how public exams would be handled next year, adding that he preferred a combination of exams and teacher assessment.He said there needed to be clarity about how public exams would be handled next year, adding that he preferred a combination of exams and teacher assessment.
Sally Collier, chief executive of England's exams regulator, Ofqual, said planning for the 2021 exams system was at the forefront of her organisation's thinking.Sally Collier, chief executive of England's exams regulator, Ofqual, said planning for the 2021 exams system was at the forefront of her organisation's thinking.
She suggested the government may be re-thinking the content of exams for next year, and that schools would need to know at the earliest opportunity what they are going to need to teach next year.She suggested the government may be re-thinking the content of exams for next year, and that schools would need to know at the earliest opportunity what they are going to need to teach next year.
Ofqual would be publishing a consultation in the coming weeks on possible measures to ameliorate the impact of educational disruption on next year's exam candidates, she told MPs.Ofqual would be publishing a consultation in the coming weeks on possible measures to ameliorate the impact of educational disruption on next year's exam candidates, she told MPs.
'Similar next year' 'Blame others'
But she stopped short of saying what those plans included. Reports have suggested Ofqual might be considering delaying exams or using a system involving predictive grades.But she stopped short of saying what those plans included. Reports have suggested Ofqual might be considering delaying exams or using a system involving predictive grades.
The comments came just before Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tackled Boris Johnson on the government's plans for schools.
In the House of Commons, Sir Keir lambasted Mr Johnson for announcing his plan to re-open primaries without consulting with head teachers and accused him of "flailing around trying to blame others".
The Prime Minister urged Sir Keir to ask "his friends in the left-wing trade unions", meaning the teachers' unions, to help schools get ready.
Sir Keir said England was an "outlier" compared to other countries in Europe, who had re-opened some of their schools.
Other premises
National Education Union joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said it was increasingly clear disruption to schooling was going to continue.National Education Union joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said it was increasingly clear disruption to schooling was going to continue.
"Looking at the exams system, we could face some of this, a very similar situation, next year, we have got to learn from this year," he said."Looking at the exams system, we could face some of this, a very similar situation, next year, we have got to learn from this year," he said.
Dr Zubaida Haque of the Runnymede Trust, said there needed to be an urgent look at what could be done for pupils who were not going back to school this summer.Dr Zubaida Haque of the Runnymede Trust, said there needed to be an urgent look at what could be done for pupils who were not going back to school this summer.
She said there were lots of venues available out of school, which could be utilised because of Covid-19 restrictions - such as football stadiums, private schools and golf fields.She said there were lots of venues available out of school, which could be utilised because of Covid-19 restrictions - such as football stadiums, private schools and golf fields.
She urged ministers to think creatively and urgently about how such facilities could be used, with a view to setting up summer schools to help pupils catch up and support them with pastoral and emotional needs.She urged ministers to think creatively and urgently about how such facilities could be used, with a view to setting up summer schools to help pupils catch up and support them with pastoral and emotional needs.
Earlier, former Ofsted inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw criticised the government for failing to get pupils back to school.Earlier, former Ofsted inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw criticised the government for failing to get pupils back to school.
He said: "The government needs to get its act together... and make sure there is proper planning for September when both primary and secondary schools come back."He said: "The government needs to get its act together... and make sure there is proper planning for September when both primary and secondary schools come back."