Education Minister in U-turn over controversial A-Level grading

Another 39 people have been diagnosed as having COVID-19 in NI, the Department of Health has revealed.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Aug 17, 2020           Good afternoon,   I have no doubt there will be a huge sigh of relief in homes across Northern Ireland following the announcement this afternoon that all A-Level and AS candidates taking qualifications through CCEA will now be awarded the higher of the grades submitted by their school or calculated by CCEA.   This major policy shift follows days of heartache and stress for pupils, families and teachers since A-Level results day on Thursday.  The controversial grading system had been put into place following the cancellation of the normal exams due to the pandemic.   It follows the announcement earlier today that GCSE pupils will be awarded results based solely on estimates provided by teachers and colleges.   These past few days have been a reminder to us all on how far-reaching the effects of Covid-19 are having on so many aspects of our lives.   Stay safe.   Valerie Martin, Head of Content.   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: 39 new cases in last 24 hours - 302 cases confirmed in last 7 days - find out which areas have most cases           Another 39 people have been diagnosed as having COVID-19 in NI, the Department of Health has revealed.                 NI may soon see lockdown return to regions where cases have surged, chief scientific adviser warns   Localised coronavirus restrictions in parts of Northern Ireland where cases have surged may soon be required, the region's chief scientific adviser has warned.           Virtual Game Fair set to launch online   While the Shanes's Castle Game Fair has had to be postponed until next year due to the ongoing pandemic, the organisers have announced they will be holding a 'virtual' Fair.           OKTO Technologies brings 'breath of fresh air' to our Covid-19 world   Lisburn-based Smart Building Specialists, OKTO Technologies. has launched a new 'wellness' division - OKTOair – to eradicate the problem of indoor air contamination, kill harmful airborne viruses, and revolutionise Building Management Systems in some of the world's most luxurious homes, offices and hotels.                 View more on Coronavirus

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