HARTFORD High School’s headteacher is calling for positivity after last week’s government announcement that GCSEs and A-Levels will go ahead in the summer.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson guaranteed to the House of Commons that students will sit exams at the end of the school year, with measures in place in order to limit the impact of disruption from coronavirus.

These measures include generous grading, advance notice of topics to be covered and exam aids such as formula sheets.

Although some details are still to be revealed, Hartford High School’s headteacher Mike Holland feels the decision is a positive move.

He said: “Anything that takes a bit of pressure off [the students] is a good move, so we’re very pleased.

“Everybody’s had a very difficult year – adults as well as children – and they’ll worry about the next set of exams and the impact it might have on them.

“The thing is working with them so they’re confident.”

Year 11 students are already attending an extra lesson almost every day, and Mr Holland is confident in everyone’s ability to catch up on the weeks missed at the end of the last school year and perform during exam season.

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“I think we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. When we get the detail in January about what areas are more likely to be examined, that’ll only help our students and our staff to prepare,” he said.

However, Mr Holland is not so confident for some areas further afield and with a higher infection rate.

“So far, we’ve been fortunate with our infection rate in Cheshire West,” he said. “I have a friend who is a headteacher in Wigan, and there are consistently 30 to 40 per cent of his Year 11s self-isolating.

“That’s where there needs to be some work, nationally. If it can be addressed, it’ll add a greater sense of fairness to next year.”