Exams are the fairest way to judge a student’s performance and we have made keeping schools and colleges open a national priority throughout the pandemic.

In recognition of the challenges faced by students, exams will be different next year - grades will be more generous, students will be given advance notice of some topic areas, and steps will be taken to ensure every student receives a grade, even if they miss a paper due to self-isolation or illness.

It is important to prevent young people’s education being hindered by the pandemic and by announcing these measures now the government has given 

young people the clarity and confidence they need to achieve every success.

The government has also published new guidance setting out how students should return to universities after Christmas in a safe way to protect their communities and reduce the spread of the virus. You can find this here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/students-returning-to-higher-education-from-spring-term

The health and wellbeing of students, staff and local communities is, rightly, the primary concern at the start of term.

Working with universities, the government has developed plans to stagger the return of students after Christmas and will ensure every student is offered a rapid coronavirus test upon their return to help identify and isolate those who are asymptomatic but could spread the virus. A new £20 million fund will also help students most in need of extra support.

Students have had to make many sacrifices this year, but these measures will allow them to continue their studies while controlling the virus.