Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Technical and Vocational Exams

Monday 18 January 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is consulting with Ofqual on alternative arrangements for exams from April onwards.
  • No student will be disadvantaged by sitting or deferring their January assessment.
  • Safe attendance for practical assessment training is prioritised where remote learning is impossible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Education
Context

Students are facing challenges due to the pandemic, affecting their ability to complete necessary assessments.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support students to sit their (a) technical and (b) vocational exams in 2021. Students face significant challenges from the pandemic which may impact their progress towards future stages of education or employment.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Students due to undergo assessments in 2020-21 deserve the opportunity to progress successfully. Government is consulting with Ofqual on alternative arrangements for exams from April onwards, investing over £400 million for remote education support, delivering laptops and tablets to schools, rolling out devices to colleges by end of January.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Context

Some schools and colleges made their own decisions regarding whether to proceed with January examinations, leading to inconsistencies.

Question

What measures are the Government taking to ensure that students will not be unfairly disadvantaged by either sitting or deferring their exams? Some schools allowed exams while others did not, creating discrepancies in student experiences.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

No student will be disadvantaged by sitting or deferring their January assessment. For those requiring a licence to practise, practical assessments can proceed. Ofqual's consultation seeks views on alternative arrangements ensuring fairness for all learners.

Answered
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Q3 Peter Aldous Con
Education
Context

The importance of ensuring fair treatment for students in technical and vocational exams.

Question

Will the work on making alternative arrangements be given a high priority with necessary resources? Will these arrangements be conveyed quickly, prioritising attendance for practical assessments where needed?

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Vocational and technical qualification students will be treated fairly, with appropriate arrangements in place. The joint consultation seeks views specifically for these qualifications. Safe attendance for practical assessment training is prioritised where remote learning is impossible. Exam support service available to colleges as well.

Answered
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Q4 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Education
Context

College leaders have been left to make difficult decisions due to the BTEC exam fiasco, leading to inconsistencies in exam track.

Question

How many more vocational students must suffer as a result of the Secretary of State's inability to make timely decisions? Pay tribute to everyone in the further education sector facing unprecedented challenges.

Answer from Gillian Keegan

Paying tribute to FE sector for their work, allowing practical assessments where no alternatives exist due to public health advice. Schools and colleges best placed to decide based on local conditions regarding January exams.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific number of students affected by delays or cancellations was not addressed.

How: Gave Tribute, Acknowledged Challenges

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