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<p>We have worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and
Public Health England (PHE) to develop specific guidance for school settings. Where
schools implement the system of controls outlined in our September reopening guidance,
in line with their own workplace risk assessment, PHE and DHSC confirm that they create
an inherently safer environment for children and staff where the risk of transmission
of infection is substantially reduced.</p><p>The autumn series of exams is currently
in progress. A Level exams have concluded without incident and GCSE exams started
on 2 November. We have worked with PHE to develop public health guidance to support
autumn exams. The guidance sets out arrangements that schools, colleges and other
exam centers should implement when delivering exams in autumn 2020 to reduce the risk
of COVID-19 transmission. This guidance will be updated as necessary to support 2021
exams and is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/responsibility-for-autumn-gcse-as-and-a-level-exam-series/public-health-arrangements-for-autumn-exams"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/responsibility-for-autumn-gcse-as-and-a-level-exam-series/public-health-arrangements-for-autumn-exams</a>.</p><p>In
terms of wider contingency planning, we are planning for every eventuality. More detail
will be published later in the autumn to ensure students have confidence that they
will be treated fairly in 2021 assessments.</p><p>We are working closely with Ofqual
to engage widely with school and further education leaders, exam boards, unions and
the higher education sector over the coming weeks to identify any risks to exams at
a national, local, and individual student level, and consider measures needed to address
any potential disruption.</p>
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