GCSEs and A-levels in 2021 delayed due to coronavirus disruptions

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced on Monday, October 12 that most exams will take place at a later date as a result of disruptions caused to teaching and learning due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Next year’s summer exam series will begin on June 7 and end on July 2 for “almost all AS/A-levels and GCSEs”, a statement said.

Exam results day will also take place on later dates, the Government has confirmed – but the 2021/22 academic year will begin as usual in September 2021.

Mr Williamson said in a statement: “Fairness to pupils is my priority, and will continue to be at the forefront of every decision we take in the lead up to exams next summer.

"Exams are the fairest way of judging a student’s performance so they will go ahead, underpinned by contingency measures developed in partnership with the sector.

"Students have experienced considerable disruption and it’s right we give them, and their teachers, the certainty that exams will go ahead and more time to prepare.”

Results days are currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 24 2021 for AS and A-levels and on Friday, August 27 for GCSEs.

The Government is expected to announce further details on the changes later in the autumn, with Mr Williamson also writing to regulator Ofqual in a request “to work closely with him, school and further education leaders, exam boards, unions and the higher education sector to develop these arrangements”.

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