Exams contingency plan published

Following recent concerns about the spread of swine flu in the UK the organisations reviewed the existing joint examination contingency plan.  The plan is designed to ensure consistency of response in the event of major disruption to the examinations system that affects significant numbers of candidates across several awarding bodies. At times of crisis implementing the plan will safeguard the interests of candidates whilst maintaining the integrity of the examinations system.

As far as possible the joint plan relies on established processes and procedures which centres and others involved in the examinations system are familiar with. The joint plan will be implemented only in the event of major disruption to the system and any actions taken will be subject to the advice of the official agencies dealing with the specific crisis, for example the Environment Agency, the Health Protection Agency or the police.

The well established contingency plans that awarding bodies already have in place are capable of coping with significant levels of disruption to the examinations system. This joint plan is intended to complement these, not to replace them.

The exam system this year is running as normal. Students and their schools and colleges should be preparing for the summer exams as they usually would.

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.