What changes are being made to GCSEs and A-levels next year?

The government announced changes to GCSE and A-level exams next year to “maximise fairness” in light of disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.

Students in England are expected to sit formal exams again in 2022 after they were cancelled for two years in a row.

But these exams will contain a series of adaptations - including introducing topic choice and support materials in some exams.

The government said the plans for “plans recognise the disruption caused to this year group’s education as a result of the pandemic, while balancing the need to return to exams as the fairest possible form of assessment”.

19/01/22What are the Covid rules in schools and will they stay open this term?

Face coverings will no longer be compulsory in England's secondary school classrooms from 20 January.

17/01/22Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places needed over the next five years

Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places will be needed over the next five years.

11/01/22Covid: Face mask refusals in some of England's secondary schools spark parents' concern

Secondary school pupils in England returned from the Christmas break this week to new advice – to wear face coverings in lessons and to take lateral flow tests at school before heading into classrooms.

19/10/21Further strikes threatened at universities this term

Students could face more strike action at universities this term after the academics' union opened a ballot over pay, pensions and conditions. University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said the UK's flagship university sector was built on the "exploitation of staff". They had experienced a decade of pension cuts, collapsing pay and insecure contracts, she said. University employers said the prospect of disruption was "disappointing".

01/10/21What changes are being made to GCSEs and A-levels next year?

Department for Education says 2022 will be a ‘transition year’