Should End of Year Exams be Cancelled?

Following a decision to cancel all higher examinations this year in Wales, the Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, has instead opted for externally set and marked classroom assessments, which can be taken within a broad window of time, which will be used to grade students.

Scotland has already made a similar decision for its National 5 assessments taken by 15 and 16 year olds, opting for teacher assessment instead. Additionally, they have not ruled out the possibility of cancelling the Higher and Advanced Higher exams, expected to make a final decision in February.

Should England follow suit?

The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, argues "exams are the fairest way to assess a student's ability", insisting exams take place in England between June and July. This is especially understandable concerning the chaotic outcry that followed teacher awarded grades last year.

Despite their rigid stance, students and teachers alike dispute this decision, arguing the three week push back is not sufficient compensation for their disrupted learning.

Satya, a Year 11 student at the Tiffin Girls School explains this decision is "completely unfair", "I'm worried about my results, we all are. We've missed over a term worth of content and are still expected to sit exams. Not only is it extremely hard to catch up with all the missed content, it's an extreme strain on our mental health collectively. We're all stressed out. Expecting us to sit exams in this current climate is completely unreasonable." 

Teachers similarly agree, arguing that the rest of the country will have a clear and significant academic advantage as their exams have been cancelled.

The U.K Government is also dealing with extreme online pressure as a viral petition with over 168,000 signatures is demanding England to follow suit with Wales and Scotland's decision.

The collective school of thought is that the go ahead for exams in 2021 is unfair and that the Government's inflexible stance is completely uncooperative. Parents, students and teachers are determined and resolute to challenge the Government's decision.