THE Tories’ inaction has once again failed pupils as they return to schools without knowing how they will be examined this academic year, Labour and teaching unions said yesterday.

The party has condemned the government for not setting out its own plan to ensure that students get fair grades next year.

Today, September 1, is Labour’s deadline for the government to give schools and pupils certainty that they will be fairly assessed this school year.

But with the Tories failing to do so, Labour has set out its own plan for ensuring A-level, BTEC and GCSE exams could go ahead fairly, and a plan B should exams be disrupted for a third year.

The party’s plan includes making exams easier to access, backup papers for those sick or isolating, free breakfast clubs, mental health support and a fairer grading system.

Shadow education secretary Kate Green said: “Pupils, parents and schools need certainty, but the Conservatives still have not got a plan in place despite having more than a year to prepare.

“Young people are returning to classrooms this week with no idea how they will be assessed.

“They are being let down again by a Conservative government which has shown no care for their futures, providing only a vague consultation for this year’s exams series.”

Association of School and College Leaders curriculum and inspection specialist Tom Middlehurst said the union shared Labour’s concerns and called for urgent clarity.

He said: “A consultation has been held on adaptations to next summer’s exams — including the proposal to provide advance notice on topics in exam papers — but the outcome of the consultation hasn’t yet been confirmed.

“We are also waiting on the arrangements for a contingency plan in case exams don’t go ahead, and clarity regarding what standard will be applied to the distribution of grades next summer after two years of turbulence.

“Frankly, it is not good enough that all these questions remain unresolved, and we need to see a far greater sense of urgency from the government and Ofqual.”

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said that contingency plans will still be needed.

He said: “Such mitigations should include a slimmed down package of subject content and the provision of a choice of subject topics across all subjects and qualifications to help reduce the pressures on pupils and teachers and reflect the impact of the disruption to their learning pupils have faced over the last 18 months.

“Teachers and young people need a system for next year’s qualifications which is realistic and responsive to the continuing challenge of the pandemic on students’ education.”

NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “There is barely a plan A, let alone a plan B. This is completely irresponsible, and risks yet another fiasco on [Education Secretary] Gavin Williamson’s watch.

“Teachers and leaders need to know immediately what will be expected of them if exams can’t take place next summer.

“Students need to be reassured that they will get grades that are fair. A third year of late decision-making, leading to unacceptable levels of workload for students and educators alike, cannot be tolerated.”