West Sussex colleges push back BTEC exams
The decision was made after some exams had taken place
Last updated 7th Jan 2021
The Chichester College Group (CCG) have postponed all BTEC exams after hearing from exam boards that students won't be disadvantaged if they don't take them this month.
The decision was made, despite a few exams already having taken place, following The Education Secretary's confirmation that A-Level, GCSE and SATs exams would be cancelled due to the latest national lockdown.
Gavin Williamson faced backlash for not cancelling BTECs, saying many vocational students will have to sit their exams to gain their qualifications.
The move covers all five of the group's colleges - Chichester, Worthing, Brinsbury near Pulborough, Haywards Heath and Crawley.
The CCG says it's looking at other arrangements which could include rescheduling or finding a different form of assessment.
"Late yesterday (Tuesday 6th), we were advised of a further change by the Department for Education and Exam Boards which gave schools and colleges the option as to whether to go ahead with exams.
"We took a decision yesterday evening to continue with the exams for today reflecting the fact that many students had already spent the prescribed 8 hours preparing with the pre-released materials for the exams – alongside considerable time over the last term.
"Based on the experience of running a large number of ‘Covid safe’ exams last term, we feel that we have the experience and risk assessments to deliver exams in a safe environment as appropriate and where necessary.
A number of BTEC exams have taken place today with a high turnout from students. We have however, continued to monitor the situation and also feedback.
"We know that the biggest concerns that students and parents have expressed are both around safety but also about not being disadvantaged if they don’t take their exams. We have now heard from Pearson, Cambridge Technicals and OCR Exam Boards that no learner will be disadvantaged if they are unable to take their exams in January.
"They are looking at alternative arrangements that could include rescheduling at a later date and/or other forms of assessment."
You can see the statement in full here.