Annex - Key policymaker statements on their exam replacement systems (2021) - Table 1 - Key announcements across the four UK education systems

Sep 5, 2026

Annex tables summarize key policymaker statements describing how four UK education systems replaced cancelled qualifications in 2021. The material compares Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland across three themes: the problem being addressed, the structure of the replacement system, and the main defenses or criticisms. It highlights reliance on teacher judgement, teacher quality assurance, and alternative evidence sources such as coursework, mock exams, and in-class assessment, alongside concerns over fairness, transparency, workload, and the avoidance of algorithmic grading.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Key announcements across the four UK education systems

Scotland

Wales

England

Northern Ireland

Annex: Key policymaker statements on their exam replacement systems (2021) Table 1: Key announcements across the four UK education systems | | Explaining the problem | Describing the system | Defending the system | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Scotland | National 5 exams were cancelled on October 7th 2020 and Higher and Advanced Higher exams on 8th December 2020 , with John Swinney citing concerns over ‘fairness’ owing to the unequal impact of lockdowns on different students. A replacement system was sought which would allocate grades to students based on work they had completed but which avoided an ‘algorithm’. The Priestley Report, which had recommended modifications to future exams, informed (somewhat) a replacement system for 2021. | The Alternative Certification Model was announced alongside the cancellation of National 5 exams, and expanded to cover Higher and Advanced Highers following their cancellation. The SQA, (16th February) described a system which rested upon'demonstrated learner evidence' as judged by teachers and lecturers’ ‘professional judgements' . It drew on a range of evidence, encompassing student coursework, mock exams, and assessment materials provided by SQA which could be drawn upon by centres in determining grades. Quality assurance would be carried out by SQA and within centres. | Criticism of the new system came from the spokespeople of other parties, students and parents groups, and teaching unions. Most emphasised the quantity of assessments, which were described as ‘exams in all but name’ by Green, Labour, and Liberal Democrat MSPs and the burden it was placing on students. Fiona Robertson on the 9th August of the SQA pointed to the 'flexibility around when and how schools and colleges assessed learners'. On the 3rd of June, the new Education Secretary Shirley Ann Somerville described the Alternative Certification Model asa “fair, credible and a consistent assessment policy" | | Wales | Wales was the first to cancel all exams ( November 10th 2020) . Education Minister Kirsty Williams took the advice of stakeholders such as Qualifications Wales, which had publicly advised the Government on the 16th October 2020 to adopt alternative arrangements given that there was no guarantee exams would be able to go ahead as planned. | The new system adopted was announced on November 10th and rested upon a range of evidence such as coursework and mock exams. It also incorporated assessment material which could be carried out in-class under exam-like conditions. Kirsty Williams described a system which was 'transparent and rigorous' which 'ensured that universities could be confident of the abilities of students' which was 'mindful of students wellbeing' . Qualifications Wales confirmed and finalised the arrangements the following month on December 10th. | Criticisms arose from the high burden placedon both students and teaching staff, but the Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales, Philip Blaker ( 12th August 2021) , pointed to the fact that given a 'centralised approach' wasn't possible, this was the 'fairest possible approach in [...] extraordinary circumstances' . Earlier in the year ( 19th May) , a WJEC spokesperson denied that an algorithm was being used and stated that results would be based on teacher judgement alone. | | England | The UK Government initially sought to retain then modify exams, before cancelling them on the 6th of January 2021. Williamson told the House of Commons on January 6th that a ‘form of teacher assessed grades’would be used to allocate GCSE and A-Level grades, but that the precise details needed to be ‘fine tuned’ following consultation with ‘Ofqual, the exam boards, and teaching representatives’. The consultation results would feed into the system which was announced to the House of Commons on the 25th February. | On the 25th February 2021 Williamson told the Commons that ‘Teacher Assessed Grades would draw upon a range of evidence to underpin their assessments, includ

FAQs

Which UK education systems are covered by the annex table?

The table covers Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland, describing how each system replaced cancelled exams in 2021.

What kinds of evidence are used in the replacement systems?

The replacement systems rely on evidence such as coursework, mock exams, in-class tests, and other assessment materials retained or provided for grading.

What are the main concerns raised about the replacement approach?

Criticisms focus on fairness, transparency (including whether an algorithm is used), and the quantity of assessments that can increase burden on students and teaching staff.

Sep 5, 2026

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