The DfE has announced a package of exceptional measures designed to make exams and assessments in 2021 ‘as fair as possible’ and manage the disruption caused by the pandemic. The measures are:

• ‘Generous’ grading in summer 21 aligned to national outcomes in summer 2020
• Advance notice of topic areas in GCSEs and AS/A Levels to focus revision. Ofqual is currently consulting on the principles of this measure
• Exam aids such as formula sheets provided in some exams to build confidence
• A contingency exam series shortly after the main summer exams giving students a second chance to sit a paper if they missed the exam series due to illness or self-isolation
• A validated teacher informed assessment if a student misses all opportunities to take a paper
• A new expert group to look at differential learning loss and monitor variation in the impact of the pandemic across the country.

The measures are in addition to the delayed timetable previously announced.

The DfE has also announced that test and exam results will not be included on performance tables this year and that full, graded Ofsted inspections will not start till the summer term.

Further details on contingencies and adaptations to exams and assessments will be provided in the new year.