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Detailed plans in place for prelim exams

Date: 13 January 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the significant disruption to learning, including the cancellation and extensive modifications to exams in 2020 and 2021.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have however been planning for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams to be held in spring 2022, the first since 2019. Course content has been modified to take account of the disruption to learning that young people have experienced, and teaching staff in Orkney’s Secondary and Junior High Schools have detailed plans in place, to allow student to sit the exams, based on Public Health guidance.

However, while there remains 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.

In preparation for the exams, and in accordance with current guidance, both Kirkwall Grammar School and Stromness Academy and the Junior High Schools are proceeding with plans to hold prelims from 17 January for two weeks with a number of COVID-specific mitigations in place to allow for the safest delivery possible.

The prelims at both Secondary Schools will be held in large, well ventilated areas – the theatre at Stromness Academy and the hall at KGS. Pupils will be spaced out according to exam regulations, which puts them at greater distancing than they are in many classrooms. CO2 levels will continue to be monitored and have always been well within safe levels, demonstrating that the ventilation is good.

There will be fixed seating plans allowing easy identification of contacts if need be and the usual mitigations of face coverings, hand and respiratory hygiene, cleaning of desks and chairs and isolation of anyone with COVID symptoms will continue.

Schools will continue to promote regular lateral flow testing and pro-actively supply the test kits to pupils.

Stromness Academy Head Teacher, Jane Partridge, said: “The new self-isolation rules mean that we will not have large numbers of pupils in isolation as contacts, as they will be able to take lateral flow tests and return to school if they are negative and do not have a fever. This means anyone who is isolating is likely to be unwell and it would be inappropriate to ask them to take their prelim until they are better. This is what we would do in any year for a pupil who is unwell, but is particularly important this year as the Scottish Qualifications Authority contingency plan for the possibility of exams being cancelled in the summer due to COVID-19 disruption is to use evidence from assessments taken in the normal course of studies throughout the year to inform grades.

“Many SQA courses continue to have reduced content or changes to assessment this year, in recognition of the fact pupils may lose time in school through isolation, so a short absence should not cause a major problem. As above, the new self-isolation rules mean that fewer pupils will have their studies disrupted in this way, and it is more likely that those who are isolating are unwell. Those who are isolating but able to do schoolwork can access course materials on Microsoft Teams, and there are also live online lessons available to pupils via the e-sgoil - all our pupils are being encouraged to sign up for these as additional support but they will be particularly helpful to anyone unable to attend school.”

The Council has recently approved extra funding for secondary schools to employ study support teachers and assisting pupils to catch up on work missed would be a key part of their role. The recruitment process is underway.

What happens if a large number of pupils are isolating at the time of any exams?

KGS Head Teacher Claire Meakin explained: “None of the pupils sitting exams this year have had experience of a normal exam diet, and it is important that they have an opportunity to practice that before they take their ‘real’ exams. Due to the new self-isolation rules, we do not expect to have large numbers of pupils isolating, but if it did happen, prelims would be rescheduled to ensure pupils do get that experience of being in the exam hall and working under time constraints before they have to do it for real.”

OIC Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing, James Wylie, said: “I am confident that staff have put in place all the necessary mitigating measures – as guided by Public Health – to ensure the safest possible delivery of the exam diets. The detailed plans are in place and ready to be executed – it is now a waiting game to see how the pandemic progresses and if further restrictions, or indeed, the lifting of restrictions takes place in the run up to the exam dates.

“As it stands planning is in place for the prelims to take place – as already outlined there are also contingencies in place. However, l am hopeful that this is another step in the right direction for our young students who desperately need and deserve the learning experience to return to as close to normal as possible.”

  • Summary:

    The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the significant disruption to learning, including the cancellation and extensive modifications to exams in 2020 and 2021.

    The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have however been planning for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams to be held in spring 2022, the first since 2019. Course content has been modified to take account of the disruption to learning that young people have experienced, and teaching staff in Orkney’s Secondary and Junior High Schools have detailed plans in place, to allow student to sit the exams, based on Public Health guidance.

  • Category:
    • Covid-19
    • Education
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