A WORRIED mum says her autistic son might not get into college after hearing the announcement that A Level and GCSE exams have been cancelled.

Jane Burman said her 16-year-old son, Logan Stimson, may fail to get onto his college course due to the earlier announcement that all schools have been forced to close from today (Friday) which means all exams have been cancelled.

She fears colleges will now take students on their predicted grades but as her son had Asperger's he was concentrating on the final exam.

Ms Burman said her son, who attends Dyson Perrins Church of England Academy in Malvern, had his hopes set on going to a college in Weymouth which requires him to get 6 and 7 grades - which equivalates to a grade A - B. The family were planning on moving to Dorset so Logan can attend his chosen college and complete higher maths, science and law.

She said: “It was a bit of a shock when we heard the announcement. We are quite worried. He is very black and white, and hates change or any disruption to his routine.

“He doesn’t know what to do with himself. He doesn’t even want to leave the house in case he gets the coronavirus. He is totally deflated and full of questions.”

The mum-of-three said she met with the school’s special needs coordinator and was told that students with Asperger’s are known to not try as hard in their mock exams so they can test themselves on what they actually know.

She said: “If the results are awarded on the mock exams Logan will not likely have the high enough grades to get on the A Level courses he has applied for, as he requires 6 and 7 grades.”

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Ms Burman, aged 50, from Malvern, said Logan’s previous mock results were a 4 and 5 – but, she says most A Level courses only accept grades five or above.

Mark Pollard, headteacher at Bishop Perowne C Of E College, said: “Kids are devastated and understandably so. As yet, there is no guidance as to how grades will be awarded and when there is it won’t be perfect; there isn’t a solution to this that won’t have flaws and be open to challenge. Quite simply our job will be to do our best to ensure that all students are able to progress to what they want to do next in their educational journey.”

Virginia Iles, PA to the headteacher at Tudor Grange Academy Worcester, said: “Currently there is no government information regarding what will happen with the cancelling of examinations; however, this is a fluid situation and can and will change at any moment.”

Worcester mum. Rachel Andrews said: “I feel heartbroken for my daughter and all Year 11 students who are now in the dark about how GCSE grades will be assessed and feel all their hard work could be a waste of time.

“They don’t have the chance to say goodbye to some classmates or even have their prom to look forward to. Through the eyes of a 16 year old this is devastating.”

“We are providing substantial support and resources online for our students for the coming weeks and are advising them to control the things they can control. This means staying up to date with work and continuing to develop their skill and content knowledge. Our staff will be supporting them through it all. These are unprecedented times and it is people that are important.”

Neil Morris, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College and Sixth Form, said: “We have got more questions than answers at the minute. The important thing is that kids prepare for their next stage in life whatever that might be.

Jon Ricketts, acting headteacher at King’s Worcester said: “These are difficult times for all. Despite the closure of our schools, we are intent upon ensuring that we minimise the disruption to the education of our pupils.

“We have set up remote learning and have a clear action plan to ensure continuity of learning. We are also working to ensure that we offer the necessary provision to support key workers during this challenging time. Our aim, of course is to reopen and resume normal operations as soon as possible.”