Labour pushes for delayed GCSE and A-level exams

Labour has said that next year's A-level and GCSE exams in England should be pushed back to mid-summer to help cope with the impact of coronavirus.

Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said that there was ‘a mountain to climb’ for students beginning Year 11 and 13 this month, having missed months of schooling. To help students, she said that exams scheduled for May should happen as late as July to allow more catch-up teaching time.

GCSEs and A-level exams are expected to take place as normal next year, but the government said it would consider its approach.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said Labour's plan was ‘worthy of serious consideration’, but warned that a consequential delay to the publication of results would put pressure on higher education providers such as universities and colleges, as well as employers.