Give external candidates their GCSE/ A Level grades · petition

What the petition asks

Ofqual needs to enforce that exams centres where the external students' grades are submitted actually take in this work and use it as evidence towards their GCSE/ A Level grades and make the decision on them. However some of these exam centres are refusing to take in evidence that could be used.

If these exam centres keep refusing external students' evidence towards their grades, they will be left without their grades needed to move onto further education, university, apprenticeships and jobs etc. This is an enormous injustice to these students as many have worked incredibly hard towards getting their grades and refusing them would have a significant impact on the quality of their education and it would be a massive inconvenience for them to be held back a year.

Why it was rejected

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

The Government has published guidance on cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020, which includes advice for private candidates or home educated students: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2020/coronavirus-covid-19-cancellation-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2020#what-about-private-candidates-or-home-educated-students

However, decisions about exams and assessments are a matter for exam boards, individual schools and Ofqual, and are not a matter for the UK Government or Parliament.

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/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpfHzBRCiARIsAHHzyZq25dJRPEYEgu_Jsyh9e-Ehmx_IlSA1wM_dLnm-DFYTu_93cvsIoH8aAkB9EALw_wcB
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:

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

The Government has also created an online service to help you out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support

Timeline

28 Apr 2020	Petition opened for signatures
29 May 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee