Browse
Membership
Why join? Member benefits Healthcare HMCA discounts benefits For Individuals For Students and ECTs For Educational Institutions NSEAD Member Assistance Programme Member Portal Join Us
Resources
The Big Landscape Anti-Racist Art Education Curriculum Primary Education Teaching Inspiration Films & Videos Research, reports and reviews Health & Safety
Publications
AD Magazine iJADE The Art Educator Blog NSEAD Shop Archive
Courses & Events
What's On iJADE 2023 CPD and Training E-Learning
Professional Learning Community
About NSEAD NSEAD Awards Advocacy Policy and Research groups NSEAD Directories Regional Networks Groups NSEAD Art activists
News
Trade Union
About the union How to seek help Legal advice & aid Trade Union FAQs Health and Safety Updates Careers advice COVID-19 Advice and Guidance Useful Links Introducing Sensitive Topics into the Art, Craft and Design Curriculum TOOLKIT
Join Us

National move to remote learning – Cancellation of GCSE & GCE examinations – Call for the government to cancel BTEC examinations

Yesterday, 4 January 2021, the devolved Governments all announced extensions of the delayed re-opening of all schools and colleges.

Scotland announced a national lockdown with all schools and colleges required to move to online learning until the end of January, Wales announced the move to online learning until 18 January, Northern Ireland will set out details of the extended period of remote learning today (Tuesday). At 8pm (4 January) the UK Government announced that all schools and colleges in England will remain closed to all but keyworker and vulnerable children for seven weeks, until February half term. Nursery schools will remain fully open.

The UK Government have announced that GCSE and A level examinations for the summer series are cancelled, but public exams and vocational assessments scheduled for January will go ahead as planned.

Scotland and Wales announced arrangements for Centre assessed and flexible assessments last year. We await announcements from Northern Ireland.

NSEAD is highly concerned that once again vocational examinations have not been fully considered. Neither the summer series of vocational assessments nor the forthcoming and imminent January assessments were mentioned by the prime minister. Indeed, the decision to continue with January assessments presents difficulties for staff and students, many of whom will be taking Art and Design BTEC assessments. With limitations on travel under the ‘stay at home’ directives this cannot be fair or even safe.

Students following vocational qualifications and Further Education settings continue to be an afterthought. We call upon the DFE and interim Head of Ofqual, Simon Lebus, to address this as a matter of urgency.

The move to close schools to all but keyworker and vulnerable pupils is an essential one – it will save lives and protect the health of those working and studying in our schools and colleges. This has been compromised for too long, with the ongoing denial of the level of risk. Yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister was still insisting that schools and colleges were completely safe, only hours later describing them as ‘vectors of transmission’. Teachers are once again organising online learning with no notice, waiting for answers about assessment arrangements for their older pupils.

We know that our members will rise to the challenge again. We do not underestimate how difficult it is to maintain learning in our subject at distance, or the impact on our members and their learners. But we know that being able to engage in art, craft and design learning is more important than ever – our members are doing everything possible to reach all pupils, many of whom do not have access to the resources and facilities that they need. Teachers, trainee teachers, lecturers, support staff and their students adapted rapidly during the first lockdown, embracing digital technology, creating and sharing resources, and finding creative solutions. 

NSEAD will continue to support our dedicated members with advice, guidance and resources. Primary teachers will soon be able to access art, craft and design lessons via the OAK Academy, created by NSEAD members, and we will continue to add to our reviewed selection of remote learning resources. We will work with Government and regulatory bodies, across all nations, to ensure that your voice is heard, and the needs of your learners are understood.

Back
When
5th January 2021
Share

See the latest NSEAD News Stories

exams 2023 (i)
Examinations 2023 – a time of change, churn and achievement
news

Across the UK and beyond, many young people today have received their assessment grades – a ‘final’ snapshot of their 11-16 learning journey. We want…

Find out more
exams 2023 (i)
The Class of 2022-23 Examination report for GCE and Highers
news

Most of the young people receiving examination results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland today, and last week in Scotland were one term into GCSE…

Find out more
Higher education policy statement and reform - government consultation response
news
Equity and inclusion
DFE

Today the Secretary of State for Education announced the publication of the Government’s Higher Education consultation response in a statement to the…

Find out more
Government accepts STRB pay recommendation
news

In an announcement today, the Prime Minister announced a pay rise of at least 6% for public sector workers, including police, NHS staff, armed personnel…

Find out more
Learn More
About NSEAD T&Cs Support us Letter to Gillian Keegan Funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Legal / Privacy News Letter Invest in arts subjects to protect our children’s futures
Company
Support our work
Support
01225 810134 Contact Us
Advertise with us
Learn more
Follow Us
© 2023 NSEAD | All Rights Reserved
Site by Grandad Digital