By GCSE and A-level exams in Wales scrapped for 2021
End of year exams for students taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels in Wales next year are to be cancelled, it was announced this afternoon.
Education Minister Kirsty Williams confirmed Wales’ approach for qualifications in 2021 and her decision that there will be no end of year exams for learners taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels – with grades to be based on classroom assessments instead.
The move looks certain to put pressure on Boris Johnson to follow suit for England.
Ms Williams said it was impossible to guarantee a level playing field for exams due to the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic.
Head teachers would work on a “national approach” to ensure consistency, she said.
Assessments will be done under teacher supervision, and will begin in the second half of the spring term.
They will be externally set and marked but delivered within the classroom.
Ms Williams said: “The well-being of learners and ensuring fairness across the system is central in our decision making process.
“In line with the recommendations of both Qualifications Wales and the Independent Review, there will be no exams for GCSE or AS level learners next year. A-level students will also not be required to sit exams.
“We remain optimistic that the public heath situation will improve, but the primary reason for my decision is down to fairness; the time learners will spend in schools and colleges will vary hugely and, in this situation, it is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for exams to take place.”
She said cancelling exams provided time for teaching and learning to continue throughout the summer term, “to build the knowledge, skills and confidence in our learners to progress in whatever they decide to do next”.
The Minister said Welsh Government would work with teachers to take forward teacher-managed assessments and that they should include assessments that will be externally set and marked, but delivered within a classroom environment under teacher supervision.
Teachers would have flexibility when it is best to undertake them, in the context of results timelines.
