Summer exams: Five key things to be on top of in the coming weeks

The summer exam series is now well underway. So far, the national picture seems to be broadly positive, save for some issues downloading AQA papers for students with reasonable adjustments/access arrangements.

But there’s a long way to go, including some fairly significant changes along the way. Here are five key things school and exam leaders need to be on top of in the coming weeks with advice on how schools and colleges can respond to ensure the smooth running of the rest of the series – and the timely issuing of results in the summer.

1, JCQ senior designated contact form

All schools and colleges (exam centres) have now been sent a form from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), asking for the names of senior designated contacts who can be available over the summer. When this was requested last year, there was an understandable backlash, with school and college leaders pointing out that they essentially start work from A level results day, and so the first couple of weeks of the summer holiday are sacrosanct.