Ensure GCSEs and A levels take place even if they are postponed

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Predicted grades are not a true reflection of a student’s ability and could even be biased if left to teachers. Please don’t deny students their chance to prove their full potential. They have worked too hard for their final exams so they should showcase what they can achieve on their own merit.

A level and GCSE students have spent almost two years preparing for these exams. For A level students especially it can affect the course of their future. It would be unfair to many students to let teachers predict their future instead of themselves. There are students who may have not completed school assessments to the best of their ability and given their teachers the impression that they will not do well, but may achieve top grades in their final exams. There are plenty of previous examples.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

Decisions about exams are a matter for exam boards and individual schools, not the UK Government or Parliament. You can read the decision made by exam boards on what will happen to exams here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced

If you want the Government to review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades, you may wish to sign this petition:
Review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades

As a result of the large numbers of petitions people have tried to start on this issue, and following a large number of questions it received from petitioners about exams, the Petitions Committee asked the Government about the impact of coronavirus on schools and exams.

Watch all the questions and responses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmHWDlzlxfA&feature=youtu.be&t=3771

Watch the responses to the following questions:

What was the reasoning behind the timing of school closures?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1h3m16s

What is happening with exams including GCSEs, A-levels, and SATs?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1h4m35s

What measures are in place to protect vulnerable children, those on free school meals, and the teachers and other staff who are still working in schools?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1h7m09s

When might schools re-open?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1hm12s

Exam cancellations and the current coronavirus pandemic can cause worry and stress. You can find information on how to deal with stress here:

Young Minds:
https://youngminds.org.uk/

Children’s Society:
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/mental-health-advice-for-children-and-young-people/issues-affecting-young-people

Childline:
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/coping-with-stress/

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Timeline

20 Mar 2020	Petition opened for signatures
30 Mar 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 30 Mar 2020

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