GCSE exams could be scuppered by icy weather

Teenagers across Hampshire are due to sit GCSEs, AS levels and A level papers in subjects including science, English and maths from Monday.

• Any schools closed tomorrow will be put on this website as soon as they are announced.

But anxious students could be forced to wait five months to sit the exam in June or even get an estimated grade in some cases if the snow takes their last chance of a grade.

The exam boards have refused to reschedule their exams and one college now plans to lay on Land Rovers to help students sit their papers.

Head teachers and principals in the county have branded the exam boards “unreasonable” for refusing to reschedule the papers considering the exceptional weather conditions which forced 600 schools and colleges to shut in the county this week.

Students may have to sit their modular exams in one go in the summer if schools remain closed because of the weather.

Some who are retaking last summer’s A-levels to improve chances of getting into university may have to accept their previous grade because these exams are being discontinued from this month.

The Joint Council for Qualifications said the exams could not be delayed by a week or two because those able to sit them next week could post the answers on the Internet.

However the Association of School and College Leaders believes it would be reasonable for the boards to offer alternative papers later in the month.

Heather McIlroy, head teacher of Mountbatten School, in Romsey, who plans to open the school to exam candidates regardless of the weather, said: “It is unreasonable of exam boards to expect these young people, who are under enormous amounts of stress, to cope with the additional burden of how the adverse weather could affect their GCSE grades.

“The exam period is a very stressful time and if pupils struggle to get in, they are obviously going to have to deal with more stress.”

“One way or another we will open our doors but given how extreme the circumstances are for schools across the UK, the exam board should look to themselves to find a one-off strategy for a one off solution.”

Principal of Itchen College Barry Hicks said staff would be using Land Rovers to collect pupils retaking Alevels if it was their last chance of taking the exam.

He said: “Students will definitely be disadvantaged by the exam board’s decision. The less confident pupils could find extra exams in the summer an overload. The course is designed to be sat in modules.”

Alice Wrighton, principal of Taunton’s College, sent a letter to pupils yesterday urging them not to panic and informing them the school will open for exams even if it is closed for the rest of the school.

She said: “Colleges and schools affected by the poor weather are very unhappy about the rigid stance taken by the awarding bodies and we continue to press them for more flexibility.

However, it is unlikely that there will be any movement.

She assured pupils: “We will continue to minimise the impact of this situation on your future success.”

What does this mean to me?

■ How many young people are affected?

Nationally one million young people are scheduled to take GCSEs, AS and A level papers this winter and hundreds of thousands could potentially be hit by the current freak weather. The Edexcel exam board alone says 227,000 candidates would sit AS and A level papers this month and 30,000 would be sitting GCSEs. Locally thousands could be affected.

■What exams will be hit this week?

Exams are due to be taken on Monday and Tuesday in English, maths, biology and business studies AS level papers and home economics and music A level.

■What is the exam board’s position?

The Joint Council for General Qualifications insists that, wherever possible, the exams should go ahead and be conducted according to published examination timetables.

The council adds that where no further resit opportunity is available (such as some A level papers) an application for “special consideration” may be made.

■What is defined as “special consideration”?

This would involve pupils receiving grades based on their previous work towards the qualification such as earlier units taken and coursework submitted.

■ I’m concerned that I can’t get to my examination centre this week because of the snow. What should I do?

In the first instance check the websites of your examination centre for up to date information. Also log onto dailyecho.co.uk and look in the paper for all your up-to-date school related big freeze news.

■What if I set off for my exam and realise I’m going to be late because of the conditions?

Be equipped with the contact number of your examination centre and contact them when safe to do so. Inform them you will be late.

Colleges may give a degree of leeway regarding your examination start time.

■What else can I do?

If bad weather is forecast for Monday morning, explore the possibility of staying overnight at a location closer to your examination centre with friends or relatives. Also contact your examination centre to see if they are offering any transport arrangements. Also check ahead to assess availability of public transport to your venue.

■ Any final advice?

It is important that you do not allow the current freak conditions to interfere with your revision. Try and remain calm and complete your examination preparation as planned. Thinking ahead about how you will complete your journey will help ease anxiety.