Petition · past parliament
Cancel ALL English 2021 Public Exams; per rest of UK (GCSE, BTEC, IB & A-Level).
Rejected
14 signatures
What the petition asks
Insisting that GCSE,BTEC,IB & A Level Public Examinations in England must proceed in 2021 despite rest of UK already announcing cancellations is causing unfair stress levels on English students involved & ultimately creates an unfair advantage to Further Education applicants from the rest of the UK.
There has NOT been a level playing field for all students since March 2020 & continuing now; some have isolated/several times/been ill, had teachers off for isolation/illness or been left studying alone at home (perhaps even without access to a PC/internet) whilst others have been lucky enough to have not missed a class/ALL classes "live" via Zoom etc & NOT missed teacher-days due to isolation of pupil or teachers.
Our children are facing excessive & unfair COVID-related stress as a result.
Our children are facing excessive & unfair COVID-related stress as a result.
Why it was rejected
The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.
On 6th January, the Government confirmed that GCSEs and A and AS Level exams will not go ahead this summer, and that it intends to use a form of teacher-assessed grades. For more information see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/education-secretary-statement-to-parliament-on-national-lockdown
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Cancel Vocational Exams NOW: Cancel Vocational Exams NOW
Decisions about courses and assessments that are delivered by independent educational institutions, as opposed to state schools, are a matter for individual exam boards and educational institutions, not the Government or House of Commons.
We could accept a petition calling for the Government to prohibit any exams from taking place during the Covid-19 outbreak, if that is something you want to happen.
We understand that the current situation is stressful for many people, including students. Student Minds, a mental health charity for students, is collating guidance and developing resources to support students experiencing stress as a result of the current situation, which you may find useful: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/coronavirus.html
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/education-secretary-statement-to-parliament-on-national-lockdown
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Cancel Vocational Exams NOW: Cancel Vocational Exams NOW
Decisions about courses and assessments that are delivered by independent educational institutions, as opposed to state schools, are a matter for individual exam boards and educational institutions, not the Government or House of Commons.
We could accept a petition calling for the Government to prohibit any exams from taking place during the Covid-19 outbreak, if that is something you want to happen.
We understand that the current situation is stressful for many people, including students. Student Minds, a mental health charity for students, is collating guidance and developing resources to support students experiencing stress as a result of the current situation, which you may find useful: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/coronavirus.html
Timeline
| 4 Jan 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 14 Jan 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
14
Status
Rejected
Rejected
14 Jan 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.