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<p>Due to the ongoing disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, it
was announced on 6 January that GCSE, AS and A level exams will not go ahead as planned
this summer. This year, pupils will be awarded grades determined by their teachers
and based on a range of evidence, only being assessed on the content they have been
taught and not what they have missed. Whilst we recognise that teachers will need
to assess their pupils this year on a range of evidence, in many ways, assessing pupils
and determining their standard of performance is an important part of teachers’ roles
in a typical year.</p><p>The Department continues to work closely with Ofqual and
the exam boards to ensure that teachers feel supported. As part of this process, we
are regularly engaging with the teacher unions and other sector representatives to
ensure the processes developed and guidance which supports them reflects their feedback.
The Joint Council for Qualifications and the exam boards have published extensive
guidance and materials for schools and colleges to support teachers with their assessment,
marking, and making their judgements of pupils’ performance.</p><p>Exam boards are
responsible for setting their exam fees, taking into account the costs involved with
alternative arrangements in 2021. Exam boards will need to cover their costs, and
the Department expects they will make commercial decisions on fees and refunds on
that basis. Given the unusual circumstances this year, it is not possible for them
to have certainty about their 2021 costs in advance.</p>
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