Pupils in Renfrewshire will sit their exams next year if there is no further setbacks caused by the pandemic, the Scottish Government has announced.
Teens in the areas 11 secondary schools will be able to take the National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams in spring 2022 “if safe to do so” following disruption over the previous two academic years.
The decision - announced by education chiefs yesterday - has been informed by public health advice and by the views of partners, including those on the National Qualifications Group, which includes representatives of young people, parents, teachers and other education professionals.
Course content has been reduced for pupils compared to a normal year to take account of the disruption to learning that young people have experienced.
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These modifications have already been confirmed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
However, while exams are set to take place, due to uncertainty over the pandemic, two contingency plans will be in place
If there is further significant disruption to learning as a result of Covid-19, but it is still safe for exams to go ahead, there will be further modifications to courses and assessment.
If public health conditions do not allow for an exam diet to take place, awards will be made on teachers’ judgements based on normal in–year assessment.
This decision comes following controversy during the pandemic, which saw dozens of Higher grades slashed because Renfrewshire pupils live in an area of high deprivation.
The grades were among thousands across Scotland questioned after the SQA confirmed students’ past work and predicted grades were slashed purely because of where they live.
The exam body - which had to find a new way of grading students performance in absence of the usual exams during the height of the covid crisis- controversially also looked at each school’s previous history of results.
This downgraded the pass rate for the poorest pupils by 15.2 per cent, but only 6.9 per cent for children in living in wealthier postcodes.
Renfrewshire Council previously stated it would go through students grades and appeal all results where the evidence allows.
Following the announcement, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Exams will take place next year if safe to do so.
“Fairness for learners sitting exams in 2022 is at the heart of our plans.
“Assessment modifications across national courses for the next academic session have already been confirmed by the SQA in recognition of the disruption to learning that young people have experienced. We will set out details on further support available for learners in September.
“Careful contingency planning has taken place in case there is further significant disruption to learning or if public health conditions do not allow for the holding of an examination diet.
“These contingencies offer stability for teachers and learners in the coming academic session and will allow their focus to be on normal practices in teaching, learning and assessment. More detailed guidance will be issued by the SQA at the earliest opportunity.”
Commenting on the exam plans, Educational Institute of Scotland general secretary Larry Flanagan said alternative plans are “essential” to make sure the mental health and well-being of pupils does not suffer.
He said: “The EIS would have preferred to see exams by-passed for S4 students in the interests of supporting education recovery and well-being among this cohort.
“It remains to be seen whether the reductions in course content for this year as recognition that young people have been adversely affected by the pandemic through no fault of their own, will suffice.
“It is essential that appropriate and robust contingencies are in place should it be necessary to cancel the exam diet on public health grounds.
“We saw earlier this year the damage caused by decisions being made too late without adequate contingencies in place and the huge workload and stress that was placed on students and staff as a result.”
