COMMUNITY leaders and educators in south Cumbria warn there could be a repeat of the summer's 'exam fiasco' in 2021.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron reports having been contacted by several head teachers in the district concerned by the prospect of a 'repeat fiasco' scenario arising next year if assessment is not conducted in a more continuous way.

Cllr Sue Sanderson, cabinet member for schools at the county council, confirmed exam approaches continue to be discussed regularly at weekly meetings with head teachers in Cumbria and that the lack of clarity around 2021 exams was 'creating problems' for incoming GCSE and A Level cohorts.

She said: "There are concerns for Year 11s and indecision is creating wider problems for courses starting now.

"I feel continuous assessment would be far fairer in the circumstances - there's got to be better ways, particularly under these conditions, to assess exams and kids' abilities - sitting at a desk in a hall doesn't even test their social skills.

"That's what most education professionals are pushing for now [continuous assessment - e.g. coursework]."

"I definitely think that's the more sensible route to go down. But the decision is not mine - it's down to the Government and Ofqual."