Million Plus

MillionPlus has written to Simon Lebus, interim Chief Regulator regarding the two recent consultations published by Ofqual regarding the assessments of A levels and level 3 vocational and technical qualifications in summer 2021. We raised two concerns.

First, on whether the proposals will equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for them to progress on to higher education, should they wish to do so. The Ofqual proposals suggest that assessments would take place by early June at the latest, with results available to schools and students in early July. There is a risk that reducing the amount of teaching and learning time will be to the disadvantage to students who have already lost a significant amount of face-to-face teaching time since spring 2020.

Second, there is a need to ensure that results of A levels and level 3 vocational qualifications are released to schools and students at the same time. Modern universities recruit a significant number of students who study other level 3 qualifications, or blend A levels with qualifications such as BTECS. Releasing A levels in early July but informing students studying other level 3 qualifications at a later date would be problematic. Last year, the results days for these qualifications differed and this caused some issues as BTEC results were delayed by over a week.

Download Ofqual consultations on assessments of A levels and level 3 vocational and technical qualifications »