COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update

At this current time, we know that many teachers, learners and families are still feeling anxious about the continuing uncertainties that we are all facing right now.

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Supporting schools, colleges, learners and teachers with teaching and learning is always one of our key priorities. We've been working closely with Ofqual over recent months to finalise any changes to our qualifications and assessments for summer 2022. 

We're providing a range of information across subjects to help teachers understand what this means for their subjects as well as support materials for both teachers and students to help in teaching and learning and preparation for summer 2022.    

Visit our Summer 2022 support page for full information and links to all the latest support.

Summer 2022 consultation

On 30 September, the Department for Education and Ofqual published the outcomes of the consultation on proposed summer 2022 adaptations, including optionality and advance notice. 

The consultation concluded that all of the proposals set out in the consultation document would be implemented.  

Read more about the 2022 adaptations consultation outcomes

This is in addition to the outcomes of the 2022 NEA and field work consultation, which published on 16 June. These confirmed the carry forward of arrangements which were put in place in 2021 to take account of public health restrictions that could have had an impact on the way the assessments in certain qualifications could be conducted. 

Read more about the NEA and field work consultation outcome

See all our subject-specific support in the drop down lists on our Summer 2022 support web page.

Summer 2022 support

In order to assist centres we have created a comprehensive guidance on the process for deriving grades this summer. This document provides an overview of the approach together with detail on each of the specific aspects – including quality assurance, grading and appeals. It is important that you take time work through the document and in the coming weeks we will do all that we can to support you in your understanding of it.

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We understand that the opportunity to sit exams is important to you and your students, and our recent consultation with you on this has helped us further understand your priorities. These included the need for contingency measures and flexibility, so that your students can get the grade they need to progress.  

We are pleased to confirm the following exam arrangements for International GCSE:  

  • we will be offering an additional series towards the end of 2021
  • this is an additional arrangement for 2021 only and exams are expected to take place in the months of November and December
  • we’ll be running a focused January 2022 series.  

Please look at the subject availability for International GCSE

We are in the process of undertaking our annual review of fees to determine the qualification fees for the academic year 2021/22 and will share these with you once they are available.  

Please note that all International GCSE November/December 2021 and January 2022 are subject to demand and will be removed from the offering if we do not have sufficient entries by the entry deadline. 

We know you will be keen to know more about the timetables and key dates for this series and we will be in touch as soon as we have these. 

For information on our approach and support to the summer 2021 series please go to our support page.

Summer 2021 support

We recognise and appreciate all the additional work that you and your colleagues have been doing for your students as a result of the changes to summer assessment. It’s been another extremely challenging year which has required extraordinary efforts by teachers, schools and colleges. 

While your fees are paid at the very end of the two-year course, they cover much more than just the final exams and enable us to provide everything you and your students need throughout the course. 

For full details please visit our 2021 qualification fees FAQs page. You'll also find two visual guides that explain what qualification fees cover for both UK and International qualifications, how the money from these fees is spent and how our costs have been affected this year. 

You can also read through our frequently asked questions.

2021 qualification fees FAQs and visual guides

Ofqual announced the outcomes of its consultation on the format of GCSE, AS and A level assessments for autumn 2021. On 14 May 2021, Ofqual confirmed that the adjustments that were due to be applied in summer 2021 will also apply to the autumn 2021 exam series for GCSE.  

You can read further information on our October/November 2021 exam series web page.

We would like to confirm that the next sitting for the Advanced Extension Award for Mathematics will be Summer 2022, and that this qualification is not available in the autumn 2021 series. This was previously showing in the autumn series provisional exam timetable and has now been removed. Please accept our apologies for any confusion.

It’s been a very challenging and uncertain time for all students, parents and carers and, with the cancellation of the summer exam series in 2020 and 2021.

As we look ahead to the summer 2022 series we'll send regular email updates to parents and carers to keep you informed of the latest qualification news and developments for summer 2022.

Sign up to the parents and carers newsletter

At times like these, it’s important to look after ourselves physically and mentally. If you or your students are feeling stressed or anxious, take a look at the mindfulness and well-being support available to help you through this difficult time.

If you have any further questions and would like to speak to us directly, you can submit questions through our contact form or by calling +44 (0) 344 463 2535.

Further information and guidance

For further information on BTEC, Work-based Learning and Functional Skills, please read the questions and answers we have put together to help explain our current plans:

BTEC information and guidance

LCCI information and guidance

For further information and guidance, you can visit:

Ofqual updates to 2020 exams

Public Health England blog

Government guidance for educational settings

If you need to talk to us about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the effect on your centre and learners, Exam Officers can call us on +44 (0) 344 463 2535. If you are a training provider or employer, you can call us on +44 (0) 344 576 0045.