Acland-Hood appointed to handle exams response
The government has appointed Susan Acland-Hood to lead on its response to exams amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The civil servant will become the Department for Education's second permanent secretary for six weeks.
Early on in lockdown, the government cancelled exams due to take place over the summer due to the outbreak. Her appointment follows mass backlash over A level and GCSE results, for which the government and Ofqual belatedly u-turned.
The algorithm used to moderate this year's grades led to thousands of students being downgraded, and after rising pressute across the board, the government reverted to teacher assessments to determine marks.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said Acland-Hood's appointment would 'ensure that the government is able to respond fully to exam results, whilst also ensuring the return of schools in September'.
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