Harrogate teachers want clarity "sooner rather than later" on exams
The Education Secretary will update MPs today
Teachers across Harrogate and the Dales tell us they need clarity from the government "sooner rather than later" on how students will be assessed this year.
The Prime Minister announced on Monday that GCSE and A-Levels won't go ahead as planned because schools and colleges are closed until at least mid February under the new national lockdown.
The Education Secretary is due to set out more detail to MPs later in a statement in the House of Commons.
Stuart Carlton, the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services at North Yorkshire Council said:
"Exams in the way we know them won't happen in the summer but we're yet to hear therefore what that means. I'm sure that's creating anxiety and worry for children and parents across the county.
"Previously the Government have said the same level of outcome for GCSEs and A-Levels, which was considerably higher last summer, would consider into this year. As soon as we have that information we will be speaking to our schools to let them know the details."
In addition, there are calls for more clarity from the government on what support schools can offer to pupils.
In the Prime Minister’s announcement, there wasn’t a clear indication for when Free School Meals would start or how schools could provide equipment for home learning.
Teachers and staff are waiting to hear what the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will announced.
Mr Carlton continued:
"We're waiting for further government guidance around distribution more laptops and IT equipment, guidance on current lockdown measures and instructions to schools on what they should provide and how they provide it."
It's feared students in York face uncertainty over what to do next in lockdown.
University of York second year student Beth Hardisty says people on campus have felt excluded from recent Government announcements.
She said:
"I think a lot of people across the country are feeling let down. It was noticeable that university students weren't mentioned at all in Boris Johnson's announcement on Monday evening.
"People have been left in an odd hybrid situation as to not knowing whether or not returning to campus or their university house is actually or legal or possible at any point."
The Education Secretary is due to give a statement on assessments to the House of Commons this afternoon.