Important:

This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

Rejected petition Stop exams (A-levels, GCSEs and SATs ) due to COVID19 to reduce stress on teens.

The government should withdraw the 2020 exams to reduce stress and anxiety during these unprecedented times. Predicted grades which the school give should be given in replace of examinations with the expectation of the courses been completed and clear evidence of work quality at that grade.

More details

Teachers should be allowed to give their students grades which reflect their work ethic and potential as stress related to COVID19 and the uncertainty it presents for many students. This will allow students to gain access into university and colleges which require conditional offers. This will ensure that the academic world can function post COVID19 come September 2020 whilst having the mental health of teenagers at the heart of this pandemic rather than league tables and examinations.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

It’s about something that the UK Government or Parliament is not directly responsible for.

Decisions about exams are a matter for exam boards and individual schools, not the UK Government or Parliament. You can read the decision made by exam boards on what will happen to exams here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced

If you want the Government to review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades, you may wish to sign this petition:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/306773

As a result of the large numbers of petitions people have tried to start on this issue, and following a large number of questions it received from petitioners about exams, the Petitions Committee asked the Government about the impact of coronavirus on schools and exams.

Watch all the questions and responses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmHWDlzlxfA&feature=youtu.be&t=3771

Watch the responses to the following questions:

What was the reasoning behind the timing of school closures?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1h3m16s

What is happening with exams including GCSEs, A-levels, and SATs?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1h4m35s

What measures are in place to protect vulnerable children, those on free school meals, and the teachers and other staff who are still working in schools?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1h7m09s

When might schools re-open?
https://youtu.be/MmHWDlzlxfA#t=1hm12s

Exam cancellations and the current coronavirus pandemic can cause worry and stress. You can find information on how to deal with stress here:

Young Minds:
https://youngminds.org.uk/

Children’s Society:
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/mental-health-advice-for-children-and-young-people/issues-affecting-young-people

Childline:
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/coping-with-stress/

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.