Petition · past parliament

Overhaul Of Current A Level and GCSE Plans For 2021

Rejected 19 signatures

What the petition asks

On the 23rd March 2020, the government announced that all schools throughout the UK would have to close in light of the pandemic. After 6 months and many different changes in rules, schools started to reopen, with many students at a significant knowledge deficit. The current plan should be changed.
How will postponing formal exams for 3 weeks give pupils enough time to tie up any loose ends within their learning? The answer is it won’t.
As a y13 student I have overheard people in my classes discussing work given to us over the lockdown period in utter confusion as they have not been able to teach themselves the content thoroughly. I’m sure this is the same for many students nationwide. While I agree that the way grades were awarded in 2020 was wrong, there should be some middle ground for this year. Whether this comes in the form of teacher assessment with exterior mediation or something else entirely I don’t know. But I maintain that holding formal exams in 2021 is unfair considering the circumstances over the past 6 months.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign some of these petitions:

Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021: Cancel GCSEs and A Levels in 2021

Reduce curriculum content for year 10 & 12 students who will sit exams in 2021: Reduce curriculum content for year 10 & 12 students who will sit exams in 2021.

Base 2021 GCSE and A-Level Grades on Teacher Considerations and Mock Grades: Base 2021 GCSE and A-Level Grades on Teacher Considerations and Mock Grades

Work with regulators and exam providers to clarify exam arrangements for 2021: Work with regulators and exam providers to clarify exam arrangements for 2021

Timeline

12 Oct 2020 Petition opened for signatures
19 Oct 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 19
Status Rejected
Rejected 19 Oct 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.