Cambridge Update on Holding Exams in June in 2021
We’ve had further update today from Cambridge International and the governments decision to cancel regulated 2021 examinations.
As previously stated, the UK government is proposing that learners in schools and colleges are awarded grades based on teacher assessment this Summer. Ofqual has issued a consultation paper, requesting feedback from all interested parties, to determine the fairest and most robust way of determining grades for GCSE, A/AS Level and Vocational/Technical qualifications. We would invite all of you, if you have not already done so, to feedback your comments on the proposed assessment criteria outlined in the paper.
Unsurprisingly Cambridge International who, at this time, are planning to hold Summer examinations, are receiving questions from private education candidates, parents, carers and schools about fairness and comparisons with grades they will award to students for equivalent international qualifications versus teacher assessed grades. They are also hearing concerns regarding exams taking place or the possibility of being cancelled.
In this situation, their aim continues to be to align the standard of Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge O Level and Cambridge International AS & A Level to that of equivalent qualifications for schools in England.
They are investigating how best to achieve this for students taking Cambridge qualifications in 160 different countries worldwide, including England. They are very carefully monitoring proposals from the Department for Education and Ofqual about alternative arrangements for awarding results for the June 2021 series in England. After the Ofqual consultation closes at the end of January, they will give more details, if necessary, about how they plan to respond.
In the meantime, Cambridge International and the team at Tutors & Exams will continue to keep private education candidates and parents updated and continue to prepare to offer examinations for the June 2021 series where it is safe and permitted to do so. Both Cambridge International and Tutors & Exams know that students are working hard on their studies and we encourage them to keep doing so. We are regularly engaging with our partners and ‘Home Ed’ community, via our exam portal and social media/website to keep you up to date with the very latest information.
And finally a thought for our staff. Tutors & Exams colleagues are working incredibly hard and diligently for you at this time. They are acutely aware that the decision to cancel examinations for the second year running is extremely stressful for all parents/carers and learners. That said, our staff do not know any more information than that is provided. Neither can we speculate on what we think Ofqual’s formal decision on grade assessment will be.
Many of you are anxious and are looking for clarity as to what happens next. We are too! But please remember it is not our decision as to whether examinations take place or not, we only act on the instructions of the Awarding Bodies and Ofqual.
