Swine flu schools may ditch exams
- 00:01:53
- ITN
Swine flu schools may ditch exams
Schools hit by swine flu may have to grade pupils without them sitting exams under emergency measures being considered. Discussions are taking place to consider options for students due to take exams in the coming weeks as five schools were closed due to the virus. GCSE exams begin across the UK this week, with a design and technology practical exam, from the OCR board, due to take place on Thursday. It is not known if pupils at any of the affected schools are sitting this exam. Schools hit by the illness are rescheduling exams or asking for special consideration for GCSE and A-level pupils. Exam regulator Ofqual is due to hold a meeting to discuss the situation after announcing on Friday it was drawing up contingency plans in the event of disruption. It is understood that this could mean pupils sitting exams elsewhere, or, if they are sick with swine flu, be awarded a grade based on papers or coursework they have completed. Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "There are already procedures in place if candidates can't sit their exams and are given special consideration. "That can be put into action if things get worse. In contingency terms all these things are being discussed by exam boards." It comes after five schools, including three private schools, shut because pupils fell ill with the H1N1 virus. The Department of Health said an adult in the south east of England was also diagnosed on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 28. A spokesman said the latest case was "associated with travel to Mexico". He said: "It is right that we are preparing for the possibility of a global pandemic. The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection." Alleyn's School in Dulwich, south east London, closed after five Year 7 pupils were diagnosed on Monday. The school said 90 per cent of parents have now collected Tamiflu anti-viral medication. In an updated statement, Alleyn's School said it was rescheduling A-level exams in art, biology and foreign languages for next week. Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon was one of the first to shut after a 12-year-old girl contracted the disease after holidaying in Mexico. A statement on the school's website said: "The college is in contact with the examination boards regarding GCSE and post-16 exams which will be taking place shortly to ask for special consideration to be given to Paignton Community and Sports College in regard to the loss of six-and-a-half days' education and the anxiety and stress our pupils are under at this time." Downend School in South Gloucestershire said "no examinations will take place either at Downend or be relocated elsewhere for the closure period". Alternative arrangements are being made. South Hampstead High School in northwest London said arrangements are being made for exams. The Dolphin School in Battersea, south London, a private preparatory school, announced it was closing for a few days after two of its pupils fell ill with the virus. The pupils are siblings and are close contacts of a previously confirmed case, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said. The HPA said closure is not necessary, but the decision was taken by governors as a precautionary measure. A nationwide leaflet drop began across the UK on Tuesday, giving advice on how people can reduce their chances of catching swine flu and what they should do if they develop symptoms. Health Secretary Alan Johnson said earlier this week that he expected a second, more serious, wave of cases later this year. The DoH's swine flu information line is 0800 1513 513.
ITN | May 6, 2009
