Teenagers will be able to go to college and university without sitting GCSE or A-level exams, the Education Secretary has said.
In his announcement last night, Gavin Williamson said no exams will take place this academic year, before the summer term.
Asked if he anticipated people still going into higher and further education without undergoing a formal exams process he told Sky: “Yes, that’s right.”
He added further guidance about how to do this will be published on Friday and talks with school leaders are still ongoing.
The Education Secretary said there will have to be an appeals process for any pupil who feels they’ve been wronged.
“Exams will not take place as planned in May and June”, Boris Johnson reiterated.
The Prime Minister said the government would ensure pupils get the qualifications they need.
However he did not say how or what form that would take.
Thousands of students will have university or college offers dependent on their A-level results.
“We will make sure their progress is not impeded as a result of the decision we’re having to take now,” Mr Johnson said.
The Mirror understands it is possible universities could use predicted grades, if they resume as normal in September, but this is not confirmed
(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Williamson also said the Government would be prepared to waive the newly-qualified teacher status to ensure new teachers currently in training can enter the classroom in September.
During an interview with Sky News, he was asked whether – for trainee teachers who will not have had the required classroom time by September – the Government would be prepared to waive the newly-qualified teacher status.
Mr Williamson said: “We will be prepared to waive that, we will be working with teacher training establishments in order to do this.
“We’re also starting to roll out something called the Early Career Framework which in a number of regions will be starting the next academic year and right across the country the following year to make sure new teachers are supported.”
Williamson did not rule out a “lockdown” in London – with for example only key shops and supermarkets open.
He said the situation was evolving and issues had to be kept “continuously under review”.
He told Sky News: “The Prime Minister said yesterday there currently isn’t the intention to do a lockdown for London.
“But obviously looking at the scientific and medical advice, if the advice…”
He added: “No decision has been made. The PM will continue to look at the best scientific, the best medical advice.
“What’s so important at the moment is we’re stopping the spread of the virus.”
