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Exam plans prepared for swine flu Exam plans prepared for swine flu
(1 day later)
Pupils in England should continue to study for their exams as normal despite any potential for more disruption by swine flu, the exams regulator says.Pupils in England should continue to study for their exams as normal despite any potential for more disruption by swine flu, the exams regulator says.
Ofqual is currently examining its contingency plan in case further outbreaks affect exams in England.Ofqual is currently examining its contingency plan in case further outbreaks affect exams in England.
Four schools remain closed, one has already re-opened and a further school in Devon will open again on Monday. Around half a dozen schools have been closed so far - the latest to be hit is Hampton School in Middlesex.
One large exam board said affected students sitting exams could apply for "special consideration" in marking.One large exam board said affected students sitting exams could apply for "special consideration" in marking.
One school has already re-opened and two others will re-open on Monday.
Castle View School in Essex has also closed to all pupils but those sitting GCSEs this week.
Ofqual - the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator - says it has a contingency plan which will be "fair to all students".Ofqual - the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator - says it has a contingency plan which will be "fair to all students".
The exam watchdog says it will publish more details this week of what would happen to the summer exam season in the event of a wider outbreak of swine flu.The exam watchdog says it will publish more details this week of what would happen to the summer exam season in the event of a wider outbreak of swine flu.
But it said it was "confident" exam boards could cope.But it said it was "confident" exam boards could cope.
Contingency plans may include allowing children to sit exams in alternative settings, or assessing students on coursework alone or mock exams.Contingency plans may include allowing children to sit exams in alternative settings, or assessing students on coursework alone or mock exams.
Secondary school pupils across the UK are approaching their public exams, and primary pupils in England are due to take Sats tests.Secondary school pupils across the UK are approaching their public exams, and primary pupils in England are due to take Sats tests.
'Case by case''Case by case'
Several children have been diagnosed with swine flu at Alleyn's School in south east London.Several children have been diagnosed with swine flu at Alleyn's School in south east London.
The school has said it will re-schedule A-level exams due to be taken this week.The school has said it will re-schedule A-level exams due to be taken this week.
Dolphin School in Battersea and its associated nursery are also closed, as is Downend Comprehensive School in Bristol. Dolphin School in Battersea and its associated nursery are also closed.
Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon, which is due to re-open on Monday, will be seeking special consideration from exam boards for the "loss of six-and-a-half days' education and the anxiety and stress our pupils are under at this time".Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon, which is due to re-open on Monday, will be seeking special consideration from exam boards for the "loss of six-and-a-half days' education and the anxiety and stress our pupils are under at this time".
South Hampstead High School in north west London has already re-opened.South Hampstead High School in north west London has already re-opened.
There have been no cases of the flu in Northern Ireland or Wales, but five people have been infected in Scotland.There have been no cases of the flu in Northern Ireland or Wales, but five people have been infected in Scotland.
A spokeswoman for Edexcel, one of the largest exam boards, said that where a pupil's education had been significantly disrupted by swine flu, they could apply via their school for special consideration to compensate for disruption to their exams.A spokeswoman for Edexcel, one of the largest exam boards, said that where a pupil's education had been significantly disrupted by swine flu, they could apply via their school for special consideration to compensate for disruption to their exams.
"We would consider them on a case-by-case basis and it would depend on how much time lost," she said. "We would consider them on a case-by-case basis and it would depend on how much time had been lost," she said.
This could be used if a student had been in quarantine, or could not come to the exam, she said.This could be used if a student had been in quarantine, or could not come to the exam, she said.
Exam boards are taking their lead from Ofqual, she said, but at the moment the exam system would continue to run as normal as only a small number of pupils had been affected for a short period of time.Exam boards are taking their lead from Ofqual, she said, but at the moment the exam system would continue to run as normal as only a small number of pupils had been affected for a short period of time.
During the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001, exam boards were asked to make allowances for pupils who had been kept at home during the exam period or beforehand.During the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001, exam boards were asked to make allowances for pupils who had been kept at home during the exam period or beforehand.