Today (Wed 2 Sept), senior figures at the exams regulator Ofqual were quizzed by Westminster MPs on the Education Select Committee. 

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Poor planning and last minute changes by the government caused misery for many students this summer. Whatever inquest we get, the most important thing is that we don’t see a repeat of this year’s chaos.  

“NAHT wrote jointly with the other education unions last week to seek an urgent and independent inquiry into what went wrong with the process for awarding grades in A levels, GCSEs and other qualifications this summer.

“Simultaneously, we need to see credible plans for 2021, and frankly, we should be at that point by now, as it is not just a question of next summer, but all the other arrangements for teaching, learning and assessment which will have to begin from this week.”

“This summer, we saw what happened when the government prioritised ‘the system’ over individual students’ needs. The authorities need to stay focussed on what grades mean for young people. Whatever solution we have for 2021, it has to enable young people to move on to the next phase of their lives without looking back over their shoulders at ‘what might have been’.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk