Coronavirus in Scotland: John Swinney could announce higher exam cancellations today: Here’s what you need to know

Education Secretary, John Swinney is due to give an update on exam cancellations at parliament this afternoon but what can we expect him to announce?

We should find out this afternoon what is happening with next year's Highers and Advanced Higher exams when John Swinney gives an update to parliament about the exams at 3.50pm today.

The National 5s have already been cancelled next year, but the Scottish Government initially planned to press ahead with the Highers and Advanced Highers.

However, there are growing concerns that many children will have lost out on schooling after being told self-isolate - and that the situation is not fairly spread across the country.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney is due to give an update on exam cancellations at parliament at 3.50 pm today.

The Education Secretary said last week there were differences in terms of geography, with the virus being more prevalent in certain areas than others.

Schools in Glasgow and in other areas across the central belt have been hit much harder by Covid absences than many areas elsewhere in Scotland.It is that lack of uniformity across the country - between some pupils having multiple periods of isolation away from class and others having totally uninterrupted learning - that the education secretary has had to consider when making a decision about the Higher and Advanced Higher exams today.

With the National 5’s cancelled, they will determine pupil’s grades based on what the government is calling 'teacher judgement supported by assessment'.Contingency plans are being drawn up to ensure fair and consistent awarding for Higher and Advanced Higher courses should exams not go ahead.Wales has already made the decision to cancel all exams next year, however, England has said their equivalent exams will go ahead.If Highers are scrapped, following on from this year's cancellation, it will mean many of Scotland's pupils will leave school without having ever sat a formal exam.

The Deputy First Minister has commented that the latest point at which a decision will be taken is the February break.

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