Statement from Sharon Hague with Vocational Qualifications update
During these extraordinary times, many teachers, learners and families have been feeling uncertain and anxious about the closure of schools and the cancellation of exams this summer. We know this has been extremely unsettling, and it remains our overwhelming priority to support you throughout this unprecedented situation.Ìý
Since the Secretary of State announced that exams would not take place this summer we have been working around the clock with the Department for Education,ÌýOfqualÌýand the other exam boards to define the detail of how assessment will work.Ìý
On 3 April 2020,ÌýOfqualÌýannouncedÌý
For this summer’s awards, schools and colleges are being asked to provideÌýcentreÌýassessment grades for their students. These should be fair, objective and carefully considered judgements of the grades schools and colleges believe their students would have been most likely to achieve if they had sat theirÌýexams, andÌýshouldÌýtake into accountÌýthe full range of available evidence.Ìý
This unprecedented situation calls for an unprecedented approach. We welcome this decision and believe it is the best way to deliver fair results at this challenging time. It’s important that professional teacher judgements areÌýtaken into account, that a wide range of evidence is used and that there will be a clear appeals process. Students that prefer to sit a paper for certain qualifications later in the year will alsoÌýhave the opportunity toÌýdo so.
We alsoÌýknow,Ìýhowever, this update will prompt many questions. To help with this,ÌýOfqualÌýhasÌý
ThisÌýupdate applies to GCSE, AS and A levels, Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) and Advanced Extension Awards (AEA) inÌýmaths.ÌýWe remain committed to ensuring that allÌýUKÌýstudentsÌýwho are undertaking international GCSEs and A levelsÌýreceive a result and aÌýgrade.ÌýAs shared previously, we will award grades toÌýtheseÌýstudents using the same principles as for the UK GCSE and A level qualifications. FollowingÌýthisÌýannouncement byÌýOfqual, we are moving forward with further detailed work to confirm how theÌýOfqualÌýprinciples announced will be applied to our international qualifications (International GCSEs, International AS Levels and International A Levels). We will continue to engage withÌýourÌýUKÌýstakeholdersÌýwho use our International qualifications for their studentsÌýthroughout this process, and we will share further details on this as soon as possible.Ìý
Following close discussions with the Department for Education, awarding bodies and other stakeholders,ÌýOfqualÌýhas also now announced further information about how vocational and technical qualifications will be awarded in 2020.ÌýYou can find .
In the meantime, if you would like to speak to us directly, you can submit questions throughÌýourÌýÌýor by callingÌý+44 (0)344 463 2535.ÌýÌý
Thank you for your ongoing patience and support. We continue to work as quickly as possible and aim to provide you with further information after Easter.Ìý
Learners in schools, colleges and higher education across the UK have put in huge amounts of work to get to this point and we intend to ensure they achieve the grades they deserve to move to the next stage.ÌýAt times like these it’s important to look after ourselves physically and mentally.
If you or your students are feeling stressed or anxious,Ìýtake a lookÌýat theÌýmental health and wellbeing supportÌýavailable to help you through this difficult time.Ìý
My thoughts and best wishes are with you all.Ìý
Sharon Hague,Ìý
Senior Vice President, SchoolsÌý