UCU calls for BTECs and vocational exams to be cancelled

The call comes as the Westminster government announced another national lockdown in England and imposed continued remote learning in further education colleges. A petition on the subject is already at over 100,000 signatures. 

UCU head of further education Andrew Harden, said: 'If college campuses in England are not safe to the extent that remote learning will be in place until at least February then this government cannot justify asking staff and students to travel this week to institutions to sit exams. Staff and students will rightly be asking why summer exams are likely to be cancelled but those taking place now during a full national lockdown can go ahead.  

'The government must give staff and students clarity and ensure a fair approach to grading using a different system such as teacher assessment. BTEC students faced a shambolic mess in 2020 with delays to results and it's clear that once again they are an afterthought for this government. Staff and student safety must be the priority.'