Yet still no allowance will be made to take into account the effect of Covid-19, despite the hugely uneven impact both within and between schools.
We accept there is no perfect solution in a pandemic. But the question must be asked once again — why, when the Government knew a second wave of the pandemic was likely all the way back in the autumn of 2020, when teachers were pressing them to stress test various options for examination, did they not plan?
There was far too much of a sense that it would all be over by Christmas, and at every stage it has been young people, teachers and parents left to pick up the pieces.
The logic behind cancelling exams over the summer was that students were affected differently by the pandemic. This will still be the case in the autumn. Such exams threaten to distract from the crucial next step of enabling students returning to school this autumn to get back on track with their education.
The stress on students and parents is immense — many young people are only now learning what pieces of work will be used to justify their grades.
Indeed, an essay they never knew would count might now determine a large part of their results. Some are taking exams this summer, others being offered resits, and now the offer of more exams in the autumn. It feels chaotic when our young people are crying out for certainty.
Teachers have been also put in a difficult position, asked to prepare grades while having little direction on what modes of assessment should be prioritised or how weighting should be used.
More than being thanked, teachers need to be trusted. That also means no more surprises. They have the guidance, let them get on with it.
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