Scottish exam cancellation decision expected 'before Christmas' from John Swinney

The remainder of the 2020/21 exam diet in Scotland could be cancelled as soon as next week as crunch time approaches for the education secretary.

John Swinney is expected to make an announcement on the cancellation of exams in the coming weeks.

It is understood a meeting of the Covid-19 Education Recovery Group will discuss the matter at length in a meeting next week, with Education Secretary John Swinney expected to make an announcement in the following days or, at the very latest, before Christmas.

The same group met on Thursday to discuss a potential extension to the Christmas holiday period for school pupils to December 18 to January 11.

While no final decision has yet been taken on either matter, a source close to the discussions said it was likely all exams would be cancelled before Christmas to allow for schools to prepare for the alternative assessment that would then be required.

Mr Swinney has previously said the latest he would take such a decision would be February, but has indicated that cancellation of the Higher and Advanced Higher exams would be more likely if pupils faced higher levels of disruption.

On an appearance to the Education and Skills Committee on November 11, Mr Swinney said the Scottish Government must monitor disruption “carefully” and would be a “material consideration for us in making that judgement”.

According to one source, the high level of pupil absences caused by self-isolation requirements due to Covid-19, which have disproportionately hurt poorer and older children, has led to the potential change in policy.

They added that an extension to the school holidays would further add to the likelihood exams would be cancelled.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our ambition remains for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to proceed if possible. It must, however, be safe to do so and it must be fair to learners.

"We are monitoring the position closely and listening to all the different views.

“The Deputy First Minister has been clear that the latest point at which a decision will be taken is the February break, which is more than three months before the exams are due to begin. He has also been clear that he will make a decision sooner if the evidence is pointing to that.

“Contingency plans are being drawn up to ensure fair and consistent awarding for Higher and Advanced Higher courses should exams not be possible.”

A SQA spokesperson said: “Plans are continuing in preparation for Higher and Advanced Higher exams starting on 10 May 2021.

“A clear contingency plan is being developed as part of the work being undertaken by the National Qualifications Group 2021, including key checkpoints up to the February break to assess public health advice and its impact on the plans for exams. The decision on whether an exams diet goes ahead will be for Scottish Ministers.

“Since September, we have engaged with more than 450 teaching professionals and local authority representatives to understand the challenges they are facing and to discuss contingency arrangements for session 2020-21. We are also engaging with parents, carers and learners and have established a learner panel.”

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