It has been a busy few weeks in the Department for Education as we’ve adapted how exam results are awarded to ensure they are fair and no student is disadvantaged. In reality, there is no substitute for sitting exams and hopefully, this is the only time we will have to put an alternative system in place.
As the Minister responsible for technical and vocational qualifications, including BTECs, I agreed we should review these results to make sure that no student had been downgraded or treated unfairly by the assessment system. Last week, I created, and chaired daily, a new taskforce which includes senior leaders from Ofqual, college representative groups and the examination awarding bodies. Most results have now been issued, with no results being worse than before. Those still awaiting their results will receive them by Friday 28th.
During Covid-19 many of us have been working from home, being a Minister and MP is no different. I have held all my meetings online - as long as I have WiFi or 4G then I am at work - much to my teams’ dismay
Last week, I was working from France having got special permission to take my Government laptop on holiday. Fortunately, it wasn’t all work, I still managed to take most afternoons off to enjoy hiking and biking in the mountains. The downside is, like many, I got caught up in last minute changes to quarantine rules, so I now have to isolate for two weeks working at home…
Next week I’ll be hosting online, our second Chichester Climate Change Conference on the 4th September from 10am. Colleagues from both local councils, the Environment Agency, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and South Downs National Park Authority, will all join me to set out what progress has been made and to answer your questions.
We don’t promise to have all the answers, but, by bringing together all levels of Government and community we can work to build a comprehensive plan to become net-zero by 2050 or before. If you’re interested in joining the meeting please email me at gillian.keegan.mp@parliament.uk and we will send you a meeting link in advance. You are invited to also include any questions you have for the panel.
Lastly, I want to wish everyone returning to school the very best of luck and to reassure parents and teachers that Public Health England has released guidance to ensure everyone is safe in the classroom.