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Video report by ITV News politics correspondent Dan Hewitt
This year s scrapped GSCE and A-Level exams in England will be replaced with teacher assessments and not algorithms, the education secretary has confirmed.
Gavin Williamson said there would be no algorithms whatsoever involved in the system that is being set up to replace this year s exams, which have been cancelled due to the disruption to pupils education caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said this year we re putting trust firmly in the hands of teachers , though he would not preempt an announcement due on Thursday on the new system that will replace GCSEs and A Levels.
It is hoped a phased reopening of schools can begin on March 8.
The emergence of a fast-spreading variant of coronavirus first identified in South Africa could impact the reopening of schools in some areas, the universities minister has suggested.
Michelle Donelan, when asked if the new Covid-19 strain could delay the reopening of schools in areas where it has been identified, said it s too early to speculate .
Some 105 cases of the mutation have been identified in England, and residents in a number of postcode areas have been warned they should take extra special precaution to avoid catching and spreading it.
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Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Daniel Hewitt
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has said there is a “clear case” for the region being eased into Tier 2 as ministers formally review the coronavirus restrictions across England.
On Wednesday, a Government committee was to review how appropriate the tiers are for each area, with a formal announcement billed for the following day.
Mr Burnham argued ahead of the review that Greater Manchester should exit the most stringent restrictions, which would allow pubs and restaurants some freedom to reopen, but said he would understand if the Government took a more cautious approach.
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