GCSE and A-Level exams could be delayed because of coronavirus school closures Students have been urged to prepare for exams ‘as normal’, but coronavirus school closures could lead to disruption or delays

Coronavirus fears could lead to delays across the upcoming GCSE and A-Level exam season.

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise drastically, England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual and the exam boards are exploring contingencies that may be put in place if schools are shuttered before the start of exam season in May.

According to The Times, one of the contingency scenarios under consideration would see exams being delayed.

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Other measures that could be put in place would give “special consideration” to students impacted by school closures or illness, while those who miss some exams could be awarded a grade based on their earlier papers.

‘Prepare as normal’

The “delay” phase of the Government’s coronavirus action plan lists school closures as a likely “population distancing strategy”, alongside limits to large-scale gatherings and more at-home working.

In a statement on Friday, Ofqual said: “We recognise that students, parents, schools and colleges will be concerned about the possible impact of coronavirus on the 2020 summer exam series. Our advice at this time is to continue to prepare for exams and other assessments as normal.

“We continue to work closely with exam boards, other regulators and the Department for Education and we have met to plan for a range of scenarios, as the public would expect. Our overriding priorities are fairness to students this summer and keeping disruption to a minimum.

“It is still many weeks until exams start and we will issue updated advice if necessary, giving schools and colleges as much notice as possible.”

Meanwhile, the OCR exam board said: “We are working closely with the other major exam boards, our regulator Ofqual and with the DfE, to monitor the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

“We regularly review risks to the smooth running of exams and this includes the potential impact of coronavirus on those taking and administering exams.

“Ofqual’s current advice is that ‘students should continue to prepare for the summer exams as usual and schools and colleges should ensure their contingency plans are up to date’.”

Contingency plans

Pre-existing disruption contingency plans from the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents exam boards, say that schools should “focus on options that enable candidates to take their examinations” where it is safe for them to do so.

Meanwhile, Ofqual’s general disruption guidance, updated last week, states that limited capacity to sit exams should “prioritise students whose progression will be severely delayed if they do not take their exam or timetabled assessment when planned,” and that students should be advised “where appropriate, of the opportunities to take their exam or assessment at a later date.”

The National Education Union has said it will raise issues including the implications for exam season with the Department of Education “so that no undue damage is done to our schools and their staff in both the short and long term.”