Ofqual's statement on exam contingency planning

Please see below a statement from Ofqual on examination contingency planning in event that swine flu causes disruption to the examination system.

'Ofqual, awarding bodies, regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland, QCA, UCAS, higher education institutions and government in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have worked together to ensure that contingency plans are in place in the event of disruption to the test and examination system. Schools and colleges will be made aware of the appropriate contingency plans if they need to take any action with regard to examinations or national curriculum tests.

'Currently, all organisations involved are reviewing their own specific contingency plans, as well as the existing centrally co-ordinated contingency plan, to ensure that they are ready to implement them if necessary and establish a consistent approach. All organisations met today to discuss the contingency planning and will meet again next week to ensure that we are ready to take co-ordinated action if necessary.

'The contingency plan has been developed to ensure that the system remains fair to all students. Awarding bodies have well established procedures for dealing with situations where students are unable to sit their examinations. We will ensure that any decisions taken are evidence based and that standards are not undermined.

'We would encourage students who will be taking their examinations in the next few months to continue to study as normal for their examinations.'

The Department for Schools Children and families has issued guidance to schools and local authorities on planning for, and responding to, pandemic flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has changed its pandemic flu alert status from Phase 3 to Phase 4 and now to Phase 5. It has not declared that this is a pandemic.

The Department for Schools Children and families (DCSF) expects schools and other children’s services to be operating as usual at present.

The most accurate information on the current situation can be found here at the: 

Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk

and the Health Protection Agency website www.hpa.org.uk

DCSF has issued guidance to schools and local authorities on planning for, and responding to, pandemic flu – available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/humanflupandemic

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) will be publishing updated sector-specific advice on their website: www.dius.gov.uk

Teachernet have an emergency planning section on thier site: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/emergencies/planning/flupandemic/

as well as a Q&A page: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/ .../flupandemicqanda/

and also an updates page: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/educationoverview/flupandemic/

We are liaising closely with awarding bodies and the DCSF to ensure exams continue to go as smoothly as possible. 

For more information please contact your school or college.

Notes to editors

1. Ofqual in its interim form is part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). On 2 April 2008, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced that the government intended to legislate to make Ofqual a separate statutory authority reporting directly to Parliament.

2. For further information journalists should contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3342, or 07798 924552 outside office hours. Members of the public should call the Ofqual helpline on 0300 303 3346.