Students in Penarth due to be assessed for their GCSEs, AS and A-levels face more changes, as Qualifications Wales has announced the internal assessment period between 22 February and 23 April will not go ahead as planned.

This assessment window was announced before Christmas as part of new arrangements to award these qualifications in summer 2021.

In a letter to students, CEO Philip Blaker writes that Qualifications Wales does not think students will have enough time with their teachers to prepare for these assessments.

"We are working with a group of head teachers and college leaders, set up by the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, called the Design and Delivery Advisory Group (DDAG)," wrote Mr Blaker.

"This group will now be considering the way forward and more detailed information about revised arrangements will be made available shortly.

"The assessments for some vocational qualifications are still available this January for those who are ready and able to take them.

"If you can't sit your exams now, you will have the opportunity to be assessed in the summer.

"We know you may be anxious about what it means for you and you want to have clarity on how and when you will be assessed as soon as possible.

"We will publish more information as soon as we can. We'll make sure that the changes will mean you'll have a fair chance to gain your qualifications this year – this is our focus.

"In the meantime, if you are concerned about any of this please do discuss with your school, college or wherever you get your education."

In an email to parents and carers, Stanwell School said it will share more information on these changes as soon as it is available.

Stanwell School has also cancelled its parents' evening that were due to start from the end of the month.

The full email read:

"Thank you for supporting the pupils' online learning this week. The pastoral and ALN teams have already been in contact with many parents to arrange additional support; please feel free to contact your child's Year Tutors if there is anything you need to discuss with the school.

"Pupils should be following their timetables in real time whenever possible via Google classroom, it is very important to be in a regular routine.

"Year Tutors will be monitoring engagement and contacting you to let you know if there are any concerns.

"Pupils do not necessarily need a laptop or computer to be able to access remote learning – they can access all aspects of our blended learning offer via mobile phones or any other smart device. Please find attached a guide outlining how to access Google classroom and Office 365 via Xbox and PlayStation game consoles.

"It was announced last night that school closures will continue until at least 29 January 2021. This means that the online learning started by staff and pupils this week will continue until at least this date.

"Qualifications Wales have also announced the cancellation of the spring internal assessment window (due between 22 February and 23 April) for GCSE, AS and A levels. Revised assessment arrangements for the award of these qualifications in summer 2021 will be put in place shortly.

"As soon as information is available on these changes, we will share this with students and parents/carers.

"Due to the ongoing uncertainty, we are postponing the parents' evenings for all year groups scheduled to start weekly from the end of January.

"Thank you again for you continued support at what we know is a challenging time for many families.