| Date Created | Date 1st Review Due | Date Reviewed | Version | Next Review Due |
| October 2025 | October 2026 | |||
Key Staff Involved
| ROLE | NAME(S) |
| Head of Centre | Adrian Pavia |
| Exams Manager | Amar Panesar |
| SENDCo | Nicki Foster |
| Senior Leader(s) | All of the above |
Contents
Key staff involved …………………………………………………………………………………………………2
Purpose of the plan ………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Possible causes of disruption to the exam process ……………………………………………………5
1. Exams manager extended absence at a critical stage of the exam cycle ………..5
2. SENDCo extended absence at a critical stage in the exam cycle ……………………6
3. Teaching staff extended absence at a critical stage in the exam cycle ……………7
4. Invigilators – lack of appropriately trained invigilators or invigilator absence…..7
5. Exam rooms – lack of appropriate rooms or main venues unavailable at short
notice ………………………………………………………………………………………………………7
6. Cyber-attack…………………………………………………………………………………………..8
7. Failure of IT systems………………………………………………………………………………..9
8. Emergency evacuation of the exam room (or centre lockdown) …………………..9
9. Disruption of teaching time in the weeks before an exam – centre closed for
an extended period ……………………………………………………………………………………9
10. Candidates may not be able to take examinations – centre remains open ….10
11. Centre may not be able to open as normal during the examination period…10
12. Disruption in the distribution of examination papers………………………………..10
13. Delay in collection arrangements for completed examination scripts …………11
14. Assessment evidence is not available to be marked………………………………….11
15. Centre unable to distribute results as normal or facilitate post results
services ……………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Further guidance to inform procedures and implement contingency planning ……………13
Ofqual ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
JCQ …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….16
GOV.UK ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17
National Cyber Security Centre ……………………………………………………………………………..18
Purpose of the plan
This plan examines potential risks and issues that could cause disruption to the examination/assessment process at Egham Park School. By outlining actions/procedures to be invoked in case of disruption it is intended to mitigate the impact these disruptions have on our processes.
Alongside internal processes, this plan is informed by the Ofqual (and Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) Exam system contingency plan: England, Wales and Northern Ireland which provides guidance in the publication What schools and colleges and other centres should do if exams or other assessments are seriously disrupted, the JCQ Joint Contingency Plan for the Examination System in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and the JCQ document Preparing for disruption to examinations (Effective from 1 September 2025).
This plan also confirms Egham Park School’s compliance with JCQ’s General Regulations for Approved Centres (GR 5.3) that the centre has in place for inspection that must be reviewed and updated annually:
• a written contingency plan which covers all aspects of examination/assessment administration.
Contingency arrangements
In accordance with the regulations (GR 3.17-19), Egham Park School must have an up to date written contingency plan.
The contingency plan must cover all aspects of examination/assessment administration and delivery. Senior leaders must have robust contingency arrangements in place that will minimise the risk to examination/assessment administration and delivery and any adverse impact on candidates.
The plan must cover the following scenarios:
• the Head of Centre, relevant Senior Leader(s) with oversight of examination and assessment administration, SENDCo (or equivalent role), Examinations Manager or any other key staff essential to the examination process being absent at a critical stage of the examination cycle
• the potential impact of other events such as flooding which could lead to all or parts of the centre becoming unavailable
• potential issues with the centre’s IT systems
As part of the contingency plan the centre must identify an alternative site if examinations cannot be conducted at the registered address.
Egham Park School must have at least one senior member of staff (senior designated contact) who is available to manage emergency requests from awarding bodies that are
results related during the summer holidays. However, a number of contacts can be provided to reduce the risk of this falling on one individual throughout the summer holidays.
Egham Park School must ensure that candidates’ work is backed-up and should consider the contingency of candidates’ work being backed-up on two separate devices, including one off-site back-up. Appropriate security arrangements must be implemented which protect candidates’ work in the event of IT system corruption and cyber-attacks.
National Centre Number Register and other information requirements
In accordance with the regulations (GR 5.3), the Head of Centre will ensure that Egham Park School responds to the National Centre Number Register annual update by the end of October every year which includes providing senior designated contact details (this might include a personal mobile number and/or email address). These must be the contact details of someone who can be reached in an emergency if the centre is closed over the summer and who can mobilise resources to respond to the issue.
Head of Centre absence at a critical stage of the exam cycle
Where the Head of Centre may be absent at a critical stage of the examination cycle, main duties and responsibilities will be escalated in accordance with the centre’s written escalation process.
Possible causes of disruption to the exam process
- Exams Manager extended absence at a critical stage of the exam cycle
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Key tasks required in the management and administration of the exam cycle not undertaken including:
Planning
• annual data collection exercise not undertaken to collate information on qualifications and awarding body specifications being delivered
• annual exams plan not produced identifying essential key tasks, key dates and deadlines
• sufficient invigilators not recruited
Entries
• awarding bodies not being informed of early/estimated entries which prompts release of early information required by teaching staff
• candidates not being entered with awarding bodies for external exams/assessment
• awarding body entry deadlines missed or late or other penalty fees being incurred
Pre-exams
• invigilators not trained or updated on changes to instructions for conducting exams
• exam timetabling, rooming allocation; and invigilation schedules not prepared
• candidates not briefed on exam timetables and awarding body information for candidates
• confidential exam/assessment materials and candidates’ work not stored under required secure conditions
• internal assessment marks and samples of candidates’ work not submitted to awarding bodies/external moderators
Exam time
• exams/assessments not taken under the conditions prescribed by awarding bodies
• required reports/requests not submitted to awarding bodies during exam/assessment periods, for example very late arrival, suspected malpractice, special consideration
• candidates’ scripts not dispatched as required for marking to awarding bodies
Results and post-results
• access to examination results affecting the distribution of results to candidates
• the facilitation of the post-results services
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams Manager to undertake any tasks required using the Exams Manual. SLT to assist where required and awarding bodies to be contacted for advice if necessary.
2. SENDCo extended absence at a critical stage in the exam cycle
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Key tasks required in the management and administration of the access arrangements process within the exam cycle not undertaken including:
Planning
• candidates not tested/assessed to identify potential access arrangement requirements
• centre fails to recognise its duties towards disabled candidates as defined under the terms of the Equality Act 2010
• evidence of need and evidence to support normal way of working not collated
Pre-exams
• approval for access arrangements not applied for to the awarding body
• centre-delegated arrangements not put in place
• modified paper requirements not identified in a timely manner to enable ordering to meet external deadline
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exam staff to work with Pastoral team and SLT to identify students where applications for access arrangements may be required. The employment of outside professionals may be required.
3. Teaching staff extended absence at a critical stage in the exam cycle
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Key tasks not undertaken including:
Early/estimated entry information not provided to the exams manager on time, resulting in pre-release information not being received
Final entry information not provided to the exams manager on time, resulting in candidates not being entered for exams/assessments or being entered late/late or other penalty fees being charged by awarding bodies
Non-examination assessment (including controlled assessments and coursework) tasks not set/issued/taken by candidates as scheduled
Candidates not being informed of centre assessed marks before marks are submitted to the awarding body and therefore not being able to consider appealing internal assessment decisions and requesting a review of the centre’s marking
Internal assessment marks and candidates’ work not provided to meet awarding body submission deadlines
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager to liaise SLT to ensure all necessary deadlines are adhered to. If this is not possible, the EM will liaise with the awarding bodies and act upon advice received.
4. Invigilators – lack of appropriately trained invigilators or invigilator absence
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Failure to recruit and train sufficient invigilators to conduct exams
Invigilator shortage on peak exam days
Invigilator absence on the day of an exam
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager will review invigilation staffing at the start of each academic year to ensure sufficient staff are recruited and trained in a timely fashion.
• School staff will be trained and ready for invigilation duties at short notice and at peak times if required.
5. Exam rooms – lack of appropriate rooms or main venues unavailable at short notice
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Exams manager unable to identify sufficient/appropriate rooms during exams timetable planning.
Insufficient rooms available on peak exam days.
Main exam venues unavailable due to an unexpected incident at exam time.
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager will organise rooming before Easter holidays, ensuring sufficient time is available to identify appropriate rooms.
• In the event of a room not being available at very short notice, SLT and EM will work together to ensure that sufficient staff are available to ensure the security of the examination is not compromised, whilst alternative rooming is sourced.
Alternative venue details: Egham Park School, Waspe Farm Site, Egham
6. Cyber-attack
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Where a cyber-attack may compromise any aspect of delivery
The EM will work with the SLT and the IT Provider to make immediate contact with the Awarding Bodies to seek further guidance and support. The SLT will work with the EM to take as action as determined by the relevant awarding bodies.
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Back ups are taken daily of the MIS and the data is stored offline
• The systems for restoring the data are reliable and robust
• The school will make contact with the police and Action Fraud
• The school will make contact with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
• The school will inform the Department for Education (GR 3.21) Ensure there are procedures in place to maintain the security of user accounts by:
a) providing training for authorised staff on the importance of creating strong unique passwords and keeping all account details secret
b) providing training for staff on awareness of all types of social engineering/ phishing attempts
c) enabling additional security settings wherever possible
d) updating any passwords that may have been exposed
e) setting up secure account recovery options
f) reviewing and managing connected applications
g) monitoring accounts and regularly reviewing account access, including removing access when no longer required
h) ensuring authorised members of staff securely access awarding bodies’ online systems in line with awarding body regulations regarding cyber security and the JCQ document Guidance for centres on cyber security
Authorised staff will have access, where necessary, to a device which complies with a warding bodies’ multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements.
7. Failure of IT systems
Criteria for implementation of the plan
MIS system failure at final entry deadline
MIS system failure during exams preparation
MIS system failure at results release time
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• The EM, in consultation with SLT, will make entries from another venue direct to the awarding bodies. Results may also be accessed directly from the AB. At all times during the system failure the EM will liaise with the AB to minimise disruption and costs incurred.
• (GR 3.19) Ensure that candidates’ work is backed-up and should consider the contingency of candidates’ work being backed-up on two separate devices, including one off-site back-up. Implement appropriate security arrangements which protect candidates’ work in the event of IT system corruption and cyberattacks.
8. Emergency evacuation of the exam room (or centre lockdown)
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Whole centre evacuation (or lockdown) during exam time due to serious incident resulting in exam candidates being unable to start, proceed with or complete their exams
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager will liaise with AB to discuss alternative arrangements and liaise with SLT to take appropriate action.
9. Disruption of teaching time in the weeks before an exam – centre closed for an extended period
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Centre closed or candidates are unable to attend for an extended period during normal teaching or study supported time, interrupting the provision of normal teaching and learning.
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• SLT to manage all such incidents. Candidates will be taught remotely.
10. Candidates may not be able to take examinations – centre remains open
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Candidates may not be able to attend the examination centre to take examinations as normal because of a crisis
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
Wherever possible, it is always in the best interest for candidates to sit the examination. However, special consideration is an option where a candidate is unable to sit the examination.
• The EM will consider moving the start time of the examination for all candidates, provided they are kept in supervision from the correct time.
• The EM will be aware of the rules for very late arrivals. • If additional support is required, the EM will contact the relevant AB to discuss alternative arrangements and liaise with SLT to take appropriate action.
11. Centre may not be able to open as normal during the examination period
(Including in the event of the centre being unavailable for examinations owing to an unforeseen emergency)
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Centre may not be able to open as normal for scheduled examinations
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
The focus is on enabling candidates to take their examinations. The decision on whether it is safe for a centre to open lies with the Head of Centre who is responsible for taking advice or following instructions from relevant local or national agencies. Special consideration is an option if all other avenues have been exhausted, and the candidates meet the published criteria.
• The EM will contact the relevant AB to discuss alternative arrangements and liaise with SLT to take appropriate action. If appropriate, the EM will notify the JCQ Inspection Service of an alternative site arrangement by submitting the JCQ Alternative Site Form online, using the Centre Admin Portal (CAP).
Alternative venue details: Egham Park School, Waspe Farm Site, Egham
12. Disruption in the distribution of examination papers
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Disruption to the distribution of examination papers to the centre in advance of examinations
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager to liaise with awarding organisations to get electronic access to examination papers via a secure external network.
• EM to ensure that copies are received, made and stored under secure conditions.
• Awarding organisations would provide guidance on the conduct of examinations in such circumstances. As a last resort, and in close collaboration with centres and regulators, awarding organisations would consider scheduling of the examination on an alternative date.
13. Delay in collection arrangements for completed examination scripts
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Delay in normal collection arrangements for completed examination scripts/assessment evidence
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Where examinations are part of the national ‘yellow label’ service or where awarding bodies arrange collections, the exams manager will contact the relevant awarding bodies for advice and instructions and will not make their own arrangements for transportation unless told to do so by the awarding body.
• For any examinations where the centre makes its own collection arrangements, the EM will investigate alternative options that comply with the requirements detailed in the JCQ document Instructions for conducting examinations.
• EM to ensure secure storage of completed examination scripts until as close to the collection time as possible.
14. Assessment evidence is not available to be marked
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Large scale damage to or destruction of completed examination scripts/assessment evidence before it can be marked.
Completed examination scripts/assessment evidence does not reach awarding organisations.
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager will contact the AB to notify them of any such incidents and act upon advice given.
• Marks may be able to be generated by AB for the affected assessments base on other appropriate evidence of candidate evidence, as defined by the awarding organisations.
• Where marks are unable to be generated by awarding organisations, candidates may need to retake affected assessment in a subsequent assessment series.
15. Centre unable to distribute results as normal or facilitate post results services (Including in the event of the centre being unavailable on results day owing to an unforeseen emergency)
Criteria for implementation of the plan
Centre is unable to access or manage the distribution of results to candidates, or to facilitate post-results services
Centre actions to mitigate the impact of the disruption
• Exams manager will liaise with SLT to make arrangements to access the results/post-results services at an alternative site, in agreement with the relevant awarding organisation, or to send them electronically if appropriate. The EM will contact the AB to notify them where appropriate.
Alternative venue details: Egham Park School, Waspe Farm Site, Egham or for post-results services, the EM will work from home.
Further guidance to inform procedures and implement contingency planning
DfE
Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges
Cyber Security Standards for schools and colleges
Ofqual
What schools and colleges and other centres should do if exams or other assessments are seriously disrupted:
This document was updated in May 2024 to include Ofqual’s final decisions on long-term resilience arrangements, and the Department for Education (DfE)’s guidance for education settings with confirmed reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
In addition to this guidance, you will need to be aware of your specific responsibilities for local and national school preparations and contingencies. You should also follow advice from relevant public health bodies.
Contingency planning
Awarding organisations are required to establish, maintain and comply with an up-to-date detailed written contingency plan, to mitigate any incident they have identified may occur. This includes having communication plans for external parties (Ofqual General Condition of Recognition A6). Schools and colleges should also be prepared for possible disruption to exams and assessments and make sure staff are aware of these plans.
Disruption to assessments or exams
In the absence of any instruction from the relevant awarding organisation, you should make sure that any exam or timetabled assessment takes place if it is possible to hold it. This may mean relocating to alternative premises. You should discuss alternative arrangements with your awarding organisation if: ·
• the exam or assessment cannot take place ·
• a student misses an exam or loses their assessment due to an emergency, or other event, outside of the student’s control
You may also wish to see the JCQ’s notice to centres on exam contingency plans and JCQ’s notice on preparing for disruption to examinations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for qualifications within its scope.
Steps you should take:
Exam planning
Review your contingency plans well in advance of each exam or assessment series. Consider how, if the contingency plan is invoked, you will comply with the awarding organisation’s requirements.
Schools, colleges and other exam centres must speak to the relevant awarding organisations as soon as possible if they are expecting any disruption that might affect the sitting of exams and assessments.
In the event of disruption
- Contact the relevant awarding organisation and follow its instructions.
2. Take advice, or follow instructions, from relevant local or national agencies in deciding whether your centre is able to open.
3. Identify whether the exam or timetabled assessment can be sat at an alternative venue, in agreement with the relevant awarding organisation, ensuring the secure transportation of questions papers or assessment materials to the alternative venue.
4. Where accommodation is limited, prioritise students whose progression will be severely delayed if they do not take their exam or timetabled assessment when planned.
5. In the event of an evacuation during an examination please refer to the centre’s emergency evacuation procedure.
6. Communicate with students, parents and carers any changes to the exam or assessment timetable or to the venue.
7. Communicate with any external assessors, invigilators or relevant third parties regarding any changes to the exam or assessment timetable.
After the exam
1. Consider whether any students’ ability to take the assessment or demonstrate their level of attainment has been materially affected and, if so, apply to the relevant awarding organisation for special consideration.
2. Advise students, where appropriate, of the opportunities to take their exam or assessment at a later date.
3. Ensure that scripts are stored under secure conditions.
4. Return scripts to awarding organisations in line with their instructions. Never make alternative arrangements for the transportation of completed exam scripts, unless told to do so by the awarding organisation.
Steps the awarding organisation should take:
Exam planning
1. Establish and maintain, and at all times comply with, an up-to-date, written contingency plan.
2. Ensure that the arrangements in place with centres and other third parties enable them to deliver and award qualifications in accordance with their conditions of recognition.
In the event of disruption
1. Take all reasonable steps to mitigate any adverse effect, in relation to their qualifications, arising from any disruption.
2. Provide effective guidance to any of their centres delivering qualifications.
3. Ensure that where an assessment must be completed under specified conditions, students are able to complete the assessment under those conditions (other than where any reasonable adjustments or special considerations require alternative conditions).
4. Promptly notify the relevant regulators about any event which could have an adverse effect on students, standards or public confidence.
5. Coordinate its communications with the relevant regulators where the disruption has an impact on multiple centres or a wide range of learners.
After the exam Consider any requests for special consideration for affected students; for example, those who may have lost their internally assessed work or whose performance in assessments or exams could have been affected by the disruption.
If any students miss an exam or are disadvantaged by the disruption
If some of the students have been adversely affected by the disruption, you should ask the awarding organisation about applying for special consideration.
Decisions about special consideration, when it is or is not appropriate, is for each awarding organisation to make. Their decisions might be different for different qualifications and for different subjects, depending on their specific policies.
See also JCQ’s guidance on special consideration
Wider communications
The regulators, Ofqual, will share timely and accurate information, as required, with awarding organisations, government departments and other stakeholders.
The DfE will inform the relevant government ministers as soon as it becomes apparent that there will be significant local or national disruption and ensure that they are kept updated until the matter is resolved. Awarding organisations will alert the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and the Central Applications Office (CAO) about any impact of the disruption on their deadlines and liaise regarding student progression to further and higher education. Awarding organisations will alert relevant professional bodies or employer groups if the impact of disruption particularly affects them.
Widespread national disruption to the taking of examinations or assessments
As education is devolved, in the event of any widespread sustained national disruption to examinations or assessments, national government departments will communicate with regulators, awarding organisations and centres prior to a public announcement. Regulators will provide advice to government departments on implications for examinations and assessments, including exam timetables.
In September 2023, Ofqual and the DfE published joint consultation decisions on long-term resilience arrangements. In March 2025, Ofqual has provided guidance on collecting evidence of student performance to ensure resilience in the qualifications system for students entering GCSEs, AS and A levels, the Advanced Extension Award and Project qualifications.
The DfE has updated its guidance on handling strike action in schools in England in light of the industrial action in 2023. The guidance recommends schools should prioritise the running of examinations and assessments on any strike days and should review their contingency plans to make this happen. Schools, colleges and other exam centres must speak to the relevant awarding organisations if they are expecting any disruption that might affect the sitting of exams and assessments.
The DfE has also issued guidance for education settings with confirmed reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their buildings. It includes the need for contingencies for possible disruption to examinations and links to the existing emergency planning guidance.
General contingency guidance
• emergency planning and response for education, childcare and children’s social care settings from the DfE in England
• handling strike action in schools from the DfE in England
• school organisation: local-authority-maintained schools from the DfE in England
• reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete: guidance for education settings with confirmed RAAC from the DfE in England ·
• police guidance from National Counter Terrorism Security Office and partners on preparing for threats
• cyber security guidance for schools and colleges from the National Cyber Security Centre (Ofqual guidance extract above taken directly from the Exam system contingency plan: England, Wales and Northern Ireland – What schools and colleges and other centres should do if exams or other assessments are seriously disrupted (last updated May 2024)
JCQ
15.1 The qualification regulators, awarding bodies and government departments responsible for education have prepared and agreed information for schools and colleges in the event of examinations being seriously disrupted. This jointly agreed information will ensure consistency of response in the event of major disruption to the examinations system affecting significant numbers of candidates.
Further information may be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exam-system-contingency-plan-england-wales-and-northern-ireland
15.2 In addition, awarding bodies have their own well-established contingency plans in place to respond to disruptions. It is important that exams officers who are facing disruption liaise directly with the relevant awarding body/bodies.
15.3 All centres must have a written examination contingency plan which covers all aspects of examination administration. This will allow members of the senior leadership team to act immediately in the event of an emergency or where the head of centre, examinations officer or SENCo is absent at a critical stage of the examination cycle. The examination contingency plan should reinforce procedures in the event of the centre being unavailable for examinations owing to an unforeseen emergency. All relevant centre staff must be familiar with the examination contingency plan. Consideration should be given as to how these arrangements will be communicated to candidates, parents and staff should disruption to examinations occur.
15.4 In the event that the head of centre decides the centre cannot be opened for scheduled examinations, the relevant awarding body must be informed as soon as possible. Awarding bodies will be able to offer advice regarding the alternative arrangements for conducting examinations that may be available and the options for candidates who have not been able to take scheduled examinations.
15.5 The awarding bodies will designate ‘contingency sessions’ for examinations, summer 2026. This is consistent with the qualification regulators’ document Exam system contingency plan: England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
The designation of ‘contingency sessions’ within the common examination timetable is in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations. It is part of the awarding bodies’ standard contingency planning for examinations.
In the event of national disruption to a day of examinations in summer 2026, the awarding bodies will liaise with the qualification regulators and government
departments to agree the most appropriate option for managing the impact. As a last resort the affected examinations will be rescheduled. Although every effort would be taken to keep the impact to a minimum, it is possible that there could be more than one timetable date affected following the disruption, up to and including the last contingency day. Centres will be alerted if it is agreed to reschedule the examinations and the affected candidates will be expected to make themselves available in such circumstances. The decision regarding the rescheduling of examinations will always rest with the awarding body. The centre must conduct the examination on the scheduled date unless instructed to do otherwise by the awarding body.
Where candidates choose not to be available for the rescheduled examination(s) for reasons other than those traditionally covered by special consideration, they will not be eligible for enhanced grading arrangements. Centres must therefore ensure candidates and parents are aware of the contingency arrangements so that they may take them into account when making their plans for the summer.
(JCQ guidance above taken directly from Instructions for conducting examinations 2025-2026 http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/ice—instructions-for-conducting-examinations, section 15, Contingency planning)
JCQ Joint Contingency Plan www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/other-documents
JCQ Preparing for disruption to examinations www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/generalregulations/
JCQ Notice to Centres – Examination contingency plan/examinations policy www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/general-regulations/notice-to-centres–examcontingency-plan/
General Regulations for Approved Centres www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/general-regulations
Guidance notes on alternative site arrangements www.jcq.org.uk/examsoffice/online-forms
Guidance notes for transferred candidates www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/onlineforms
Instructions for conducting examinations www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/ice—instructions-for-conducting-examinations
A guide to the special consideration process www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/accessarrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance
GOV.UK
Emergency planning and response: Exam and assessment disruption www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings
Dispatch of exam scripts guide: Ensuring the service runs smoothly; Contingency planning www.gov.uk/government/publications/dispatch-of-exam-scripts-yellow-label-service
National Cyber Security Centre
The NCSC’s free Web Check and Mail Check services can help protect schools from cyber-attacks. Two NCSC cyber security services, which are already helping thousands of organisations to protect their websites and email servers from cyber-attacks, are now available to all UK schools. Both tools are available free of charge, are quick to set up, and thereafter run automatically. More information is available from the NCSC website.
The Department for Education has been asking centres to review National Cyber Security Centre advice following increasing number of cyber-attacks involving ransomware infections. The NCSC information supports centres in cyber security preparedness and mitigation work. Ransomware attacks continue and the Department is reminding centres to review the NCSC advice and to take precautions. This includes ensuring that you have backups in place for your key services and data.
For ease of reference, the Department has highlighted key links relating to the NCSC cyber security guidance below:
1. Further ransomware attacks on UK education by cyber criminals – NCSC.GOV.UK
2. Mitigating malware and ransomware attacks
3. Offline backups in an online world
4. Backing up your data
5. Practical resources to help schools improve their cyber security
6. Building Resilience: Ransomware, the risk to schools and ways to prevent it
7. School staff offered training to help shore up cyber defences – NCSC.GOV.UK