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Ofqual inquiry orders exam change | Ofqual inquiry orders exam change |
(5 days later) | |
By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent | By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent |
Exam watchdog Ofqual has ordered the re-writing of an exam paper and threatens further action as it investigates reports that exam boards are giving unfair advice to teachers. | Exam watchdog Ofqual has ordered the re-writing of an exam paper and threatens further action as it investigates reports that exam boards are giving unfair advice to teachers. |
The watchdog's investigation found a "clear breach" of rules at a WJEC exam board seminar about a GCSE ICT paper. | The watchdog's investigation found a "clear breach" of rules at a WJEC exam board seminar about a GCSE ICT paper. |
Uncertainty still remains over whether any other exams due to be taken in January will be affected. | Uncertainty still remains over whether any other exams due to be taken in January will be affected. |
Ofqual has also written to exam boards demanding tougher checks for errors. | Ofqual has also written to exam boards demanding tougher checks for errors. |
Education Secretary Michael Gove, responding to the inquiry into unfair advice from examiners, said that he did not rule out "that a larger-scale reform might be necessary". | Education Secretary Michael Gove, responding to the inquiry into unfair advice from examiners, said that he did not rule out "that a larger-scale reform might be necessary". |
Labour's education spokesman Stephen Twigg says the government needs to "get a grip on our examination system". | Labour's education spokesman Stephen Twigg says the government needs to "get a grip on our examination system". |
The investigation by Ofqual was ordered by the education secretary after undercover filming by the Daily Telegraph showed exam board seminars where it appeared teachers were being given unfair information. | The investigation by Ofqual was ordered by the education secretary after undercover filming by the Daily Telegraph showed exam board seminars where it appeared teachers were being given unfair information. |
'Cheating' | 'Cheating' |
This first stage of the inquiry has now found that a seminar held by the WJEC exam board broke the rules and "compromises the planned exam". | This first stage of the inquiry has now found that a seminar held by the WJEC exam board broke the rules and "compromises the planned exam". |
As such the exam, due to be taken in January by 450 candidates in England and Wales, will be "withdrawn, amended and sat at a later date". | As such the exam, due to be taken in January by 450 candidates in England and Wales, will be "withdrawn, amended and sat at a later date". |
The exam board says a replacement paper will now be set for early March. | The exam board says a replacement paper will now be set for early March. |
But the claims made by the Daily Telegraph, relating to the exams discussed at 11 other seminars, have still to be fully investigated. | But the claims made by the Daily Telegraph, relating to the exams discussed at 11 other seminars, have still to be fully investigated. |
No further proof of wrongdoing has been found, says Ofqual. But it has still to complete its scrutiny of the evidence, including 52 hours of audio recordings. | No further proof of wrongdoing has been found, says Ofqual. But it has still to complete its scrutiny of the evidence, including 52 hours of audio recordings. |
If there are to be any more changes or postponements to exams scheduled for January - schools and pupils will not find out until the beginning of next term. | If there are to be any more changes or postponements to exams scheduled for January - schools and pupils will not find out until the beginning of next term. |
The inquiry also considered an immediate ban on such seminars for teachers, but will now review their future role. | The inquiry also considered an immediate ban on such seminars for teachers, but will now review their future role. |
Examiners faced questions from MPs on the education select committee last week about the videos recorded at seminars. | Examiners faced questions from MPs on the education select committee last week about the videos recorded at seminars. |
Examiners who had been suspended as a result of the secret filming told MPs of their regrets about using language such as "cheating". | Examiners who had been suspended as a result of the secret filming told MPs of their regrets about using language such as "cheating". |
Exam board bosses denied that there had been any compromising of the integrity of qualifications - with claims that this was one of the most transparent exam systems in the world. | Exam board bosses denied that there had been any compromising of the integrity of qualifications - with claims that this was one of the most transparent exam systems in the world. |
The watchdog has also written to exam boards about another problem facing the exam boards this year, when mistakes were found in a series of exam papers. | The watchdog has also written to exam boards about another problem facing the exam boards this year, when mistakes were found in a series of exam papers. |
Exam boards are being told to take a tougher approach to checking the accuracy of exam papers, after an Ofqual report found an "insufficient focus on quality early in the question paper process" and a "lack of clarity" about responsibility for checking papers. | Exam boards are being told to take a tougher approach to checking the accuracy of exam papers, after an Ofqual report found an "insufficient focus on quality early in the question paper process" and a "lack of clarity" about responsibility for checking papers. |