A large number of Edexcel programmes are affected by the current Foot and Mouth situation. Of primary concern are BTEC programmes and NVQs in Land Based subjects, often delivered in Land Based Colleges or Land Based sites within larger centres. All agricultural courses are suspended and farm and livestock units are inoperable.

New guidelines have been issued today (12/04/2001) to reinforce S/NVQ Assessment and Verification.

Other programmes not directly in the Land Based area are also affected by the crisis. They include BTEC programmes and NVQs that include countryside/outdoor activities, some VCEs and GNVQs and some GCSE and GCE programmes.

It is critically important that centres and students take steps to avoid spreading the disease. Many centres have already had to curtail or drastically amend programmes of teaching and learning. Fieldwork and practical activities in the countryside are obviously out of the question at present.

Any centre experiencing problems with delivery or assessment as a result of the Foot and Mouth crisis should contact Quality Standards in respect of BTEC programmes and NVQs or the appropriate Assessment Leader in respect of VCE, GNVQ, GCSE and GCE programmes. We will be as supportive as possible.

A unified policy on alternative assessment arrangements for Land Based programmes has been under urgent discussion by the Awarding Bodies involved with these programmes. A statement from the Joint Council for General Qualifications follows:

"A number of centres have contacted the Awarding Bodies seeking advice regarding absences from school or college caused by the current Foot and Mouth epidemic. This may, for example, affect students preparing for examinations who have been isolated as a result of the current quarantine restrictions.

These students and others may be eligible for special consideration as a result of difficulties caused by the epidemic, either currently or possibly in the future.

In these circumstances it is important that schools and colleges retain any additional evidence of attainment which is directly relevant to the subject or subjects concerned. This might take the form, for example, of a mock examination script where that script was completed under examination conditions and was at the correct level or tier.

Any centre affected in this way is advised to make early contact with the relevant Awarding Body to register the problem and to seek advice.

If difficulties persist in the period prior to the written examinations, further information covering the written examinations will be issued before the main examination period. Difficulties with completion of fieldwork are the subject of a separate JCGQ bulletin."

See also the headline from 6 March regarding the Restrictions on Fieldwork.