Sheffield teacher’s call for exams to be changed for pupils affected by coronavirus crisis attracts huge support

A petition set up by a Sheffield teacher calling for school pupils due to sit examinations next year to study a reduced curriculum has received almost 150,000 signatures.
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Rafia Hussain says it is unfair to expect pupils who are currently in years 11 and 13 to sit the same tests they would have done were it not for the coronavirus crisis, arguing pupils in those year groups have essentially missed five months of school and will not be prepared for next summer’s exams.

Rafia, who also has a nephew due to sit exams next summer, said while she was worried about the impact of the disruption on all pupils, she was particularly concerned about the effect it may have on more disadvantaged students.

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She said: “I am extremely concerned as an academic, but also an auntie to a nephew who I have helped throughout his studies.

Secondary school pupils sitting an exam (photo: David Jones/PA Wire).Secondary school pupils sitting an exam (photo: David Jones/PA Wire).
Secondary school pupils sitting an exam (photo: David Jones/PA Wire).

“He is also due to sit his GCSE exams next year but he has missed five months of face-to-face teaching.

“Now that he has supposedly gone back to school full time, his year group is isolating again for two weeks as someone in the year has tested positive, so you can imagine the impact this is all having.”

All petitions which attract more than 100,000 signatures are automatically debated in Parliament, but no date has yet been set.

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On July 30, the Government responded to Rafia’s petition by saying: “All students, including current Year 10s and 12s, will have experienced disruption to their education this year.

“Ofqual is consulting on measures to mitigate this through changes to next year’s exams.”

However, Rafia says that further delays will make it even harder for teachers to plan effectively for this year’s pupils, and that these decisions need to be taken sooner rather than later.

She said: “The changes they are proposing to GSCEs are very small changes to a few subjects and they are not proposing any changes to A-levels at all.

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“And saying they are going to do this some months down the line is not good enough as schools will have taught different topics.”

To find out more or sign the petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/320772.

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