Updated statement on exam contingency planning

"Ofqual, regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland, awarding bodies, QCA, UCAS and government in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland met yesterday to give further consideration to existing contingency plans for the examination system in case of an escalation in the swine flu outbreak. At this time the exam system continues to run as normal."

"We are confident that the existing plans that awarding bodies have in place are more than adequate to cope with the current level of flu outbreak. Awarding bodies have well established procedures in place which are capable of coping with significant levels of disruption to the exam system should the current situation escalate."

"Yesterday's meeting considered the centrally co-ordinated contingency plan. Further information on this plan will be published next week."

"We would encourage students who will be taking their examinations in the next few weeks to continue to prepare 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/educationoverview/
flupandemic/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.