Newcastle and Northumbria universities cancel in-person January exams over Omicron fears

Despite the mounting viral instances, both colleges have stated that they anticipate to resume regular, in-person teaching when the new semester begins later in January.

Because of the emergence of the Omicron Covid version, Newcastle’s institutions have canceled in-person exams.

Scheduled exams will not take place on campus in January, save in subjects where they are required, according to both Northumbria and Newcastle universities, with many being shifted online due to worries of record numbers of virus cases.

Both colleges, however, stated that in-person instruction would continue as planned later in January.

According to the most recent statistics revealed on Thursday, there are currently 385 confirmed Omicron cases in the North East. Within two weeks, the rapidly-spreading variety is projected to become prevalent here, as it has already done in London.

“Following the Prime Minister’s statement last night about the progress of the new Covid variant, we have taken the decision not to run invigilated in-person exams on campus for students in January, and to move to alternative assessments,” Newcastle University said in a message to students on Thursday (such as 24-hour timed assessments, Canvas tests, online assessments, take-home papers).

“We made this choice before the winter break to provide you the assurance and confidence you need to prepare for your upcoming examinations.”

“We recognise that there will be some subject areas/modules where an alternative assessment will not be possible, for example because of the requirements of external professional bodies, and these assessments will go ahead in-person as planned. We will be in touch with you on Friday to give you more information on our plans.

“Teaching will continue in-person, on-campus as planned for Semester 2 (starting on January 31st) in line with the Government’s current guidance.”

A Northumbria University spokesman said that a “small number” of its students have January exams, most of which will be conducted virtually.

They added: “Some of our courses require in-person exams to take place as a requirement of the relevant awarding external professional bodies – these will remain on campus following a full risk assessment adhering to all health and safety requirements.

“In-person teaching will resume, on-campus as planned on Monday 21 January, and the university will be open and fully operational with all services running as normal, aligned with all current Government guidance at that time. “

Meanwhile, John-Paul Stephenson, a Newcastle city councillor, has expressed concern about BTEC exams in January.

In a letter to Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, he said exam centers needed enough notice to prepare for any extra space needed to accommodate social distancing, as well as to avoid “undue stress and uncertainty” for staff and students about whether the assessments would be cancelled.