Proposed changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2021

27 July 2020

The Royal Society has responsed to Ofqual’s consultation (PDF) on its Proposed changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2021.

The Society has identified three broad actions which we believe Ofqual should consider undertaking in response to the Covid-19 crisis:

  • Adjusting assessments and examinations to acknowledge that there is a high likelihood of disruption to schooling in 2020-21.
  • Considering how to ensure students who have been affected by further loss of schooling in the 2020-2021 academic year are given every opportunity to succeed in their exams.
  • Outlining with DfE, a medium-term (3-5 year) systemic strategy to mitigate the likely extended effects on the educational performance of young people due to the COVID-19 related disruptions to education that have already occurred in this past academic year, including compensating for this in their assessments.