TWO of the biggest colleges in the Bradford district have explained their approaches to the upcoming BTEC and vocational exams due to take place later this month.

The Government announced earlier this week that all GCSE, A-Level and AS exams due to take place this summer will be cancelled and replaced with teacher assessed grades.

However, for BTEC and other vocational qualifications, the Government has left the decision whether to go ahead with exams or not later this month in the hands of individual providers.

Bradford College and Keighley College have both taken the decision to cancel all exams.

Bradford College had initially planned to let individual students decide if they wanted to do their scheduled exams or not, but has now changed its mind in light of the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

A spokesperson for Bradford College said: “The college has received additional information and further updates regarding the BTEC and vocational exams and, along with the majority of colleges in the region and nationally, we have taken the decision to cancel all exams planned until further notice.

"As previously stated, no student will be disadvantaged as a result of not sitting an exam. 

"The decision will support keeping the community safe and follow the stay at home government guidelines.  "

Exam board Pearson has said it will ensure no students are disadvantaged by not sitting exams.

It said it will award a grade for students if they are unable to take their exams and have enough evidence to receive a certificate they need for progression, and that if a student can't take an exam in January it can be taken at a later date, but if that isn't possible it will put arrangements in place to ensure they are not disadvantaged.

Steve Kelly, principal at Keighley College, said all exams at the centre have been cancelled for safety reasons.

He said: “Our reasoning is utmost for the safety of everyone at the college.

“When we’ve been told to stay at home, we shouldn’t be having exams. Exams are such a stressful time and the current situation just adds more stress.

“We’ll make sure our students succeed in their programmes and can do the exams at a later date. It’s a great regret but it’s the safest course of action.

“We’re fortunate we can move the exams, and need to make sure everyone is in the right frame of mind, and parents who have approached us agree with our decision.”

Cllr Imran Khan, executive member for education, employment and skills, said he believes that despite the loss of exams in the summer, schools are doing all they can to prepare students for their futures.

He added: “We know lots of students who have been working hard will be disappointed with the latest announcement on exams.

“This generation of young people have had their education disrupted by Covid-19 but we know our schools are doing all they can to support young people with their learning, whether that is remotely or on-site at school, and will help them progress to the next stage of their education and training.”