Education Advice

On the 6th of January 2021, the Secretary of State for Education set out a package of measures. This includes:

Strengthened minimum standards of remote learning: schools will be expected to offer pupils online lessons and a set number of hours of remote education for pupils – increased from the Government’s previous minimum expectations. Ofsted will play an important role in holding schools to account for the quality of remote education.
Vocational and technical qualifications: Schools and colleges will have the discretion to continue with these assessments where they judge it right to do so. This is because some students will need to complete practical competency qualifications in order to take up work and other opportunities. No college should feel pressured to offer these assessments. Ministers will work to ensure all students are able to progress fairly, as will be the case with VTQs in the summer.
Next steps on exam alternatives arrangements: students will not be asked to sit GCSE, AS and A level exams this summer. The Education Secretary expects OFQUAL to consider a teacher assessed system as a replacement for GCSEs, AS and A levels. A consultation will be launched week commencing the 11th of January 2021 and conclude swiftly to give certainty to schools, colleges and students, while also giving them the opportunity to have their say.
Free school meals: extra funding will be provided to support schools to provide food parcels or meals to eligible students. The national voucher scheme will also re-open so that in the event schools cannot offer food parcels or provide an alternative local solution, every child can access free school meals while they are learning at home.

Education Advice

Pupil wellbeing and safety

Testing in schools, colleges and universities

Home learning during coronavirus

Exams and managing a school or early years setting

Funding and support for education and childcare

University students and higher education