Pupils must continue prepping for GCSEs and A levels as normal despite rising expectations that schools will have to close in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19, Ofqual has said.

In a statement released today, the exams regulator said it recognises that schools, pupils and parents will be feeling “concerned” about the possible impact of coronavirus on the 2020 exams series.

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However the regulator said its advice is to “continue to prepare for exams and other assessments as normal.” 

The regulator said it was working in conjunction with the DfE and other bodies to “plan for a range of scenarios, as the public would expect”.

“Our overriding priorities are fairness to students this summer and keeping disruption to a minimum,” it said.

Ofqual also said it was “many weeks” until the start of the exams season and that it would issue updated advice if necessary to give schools and colleges as much notice as possible were the situation to change.