Owen Williams

3.H 4t ~re Artn 2 4 SEP 2019 FOR Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP Secretary of State Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street Westminster London SWIP 38T tel: 0370 O00 2288

M.T.Burke Assistant Coroner, West Yorkshire Western Division Courts The Tyrls Bradford BD1 ILA I4September 2019 Thank you for sharing with me your Regulation 28 report into the death of Owen Arron Wynne Williams in August 2018. was deeply saddened to read of Mr Williams' death and would like to express my sincere condolences to his family: have read and carefully considered the important matters of concern that you raise , and what my department; in conjunction with others, can do to help prevent any future tragic deaths in similar circumstances Exams are an essential part of ensuring that young people have acquired the knowledge and skills need and supporting their progression into further study and work; but am clear that this should not come at the expense of their wellbeing: Schools and colleges are best placed to understand the needs of their students and | expect them to offer comprehensive support as exam results are issued: am determined that we avoid any situations where students with unexpected results feel that they have nowhere to turn: In order to ensure that no pupil finds themselves in this situation, later this year, my department will be jointly hosting a roundtable with UCAS, who are responsible for the release of information about university places on the morning of A level results We will invite organisations from across the education sector to consider the student journey from sitting exams to receiving results to agree how, together, we can ensure that pupils are supported should encounter difficulties. Attendees will include the JCQ (Joint Council of Qualifications) and the Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA): understand that UCAS and the SFCA will be responding to you separately_ The time at which GCSE, AS and A level results can be released by schools to pupils is a matter for the JCQ, a membership organisation representing independent awarding organisations including the four exam boards offering GCSE, AS and A level exams in England: The JCQ oversees exam processes EOucATiON ArtMenT _ City " they day: they

and results announcements for these qualifications; for other qualifications, the release of results is a matter for the individual awarding organisation: My officials are in contact with JCQ about this matter and we understand that are considering changes which will mean that young people are best supported during what can be a difficult period for some. Currently, JCQ lift the embargo on results at 6am, at which time they can be issued by exam centres (schools and colleges) to students. JCQ is reviewing the possibility of a later embargo to reduce the likelihood that students will receive results without support available. In addition, JCQ is planning improvements to its guidance, including considering whether to recommend that students pick up results from their schools or college directly: recognise that young people and their parents need extra support at what can be a challenging time which is why the government funds the delivery of the Exam Results Helpline. The helpline is open for two weeks following the release of A level and GCSE results_ It gives young people, parents and carers access to independent, professional careers advisers who can help them talk though all their options and make a decision about their future. This year the helpline worked with Mental Health UK to improve the service provided to young people around this stressful time_ can assure you that | am committed to improving student wellbeing and to fostering collaboration across the education sector to learn lessons from this tragic death, ensuring that students receiving exam results are given appropriate support by all parties concerned_ that you, and Mr Williams' family, will be assured that take the matter of student wellbeing incredibly seriously and expect to see clear action taken in order that students sitting their exams are given the support ~ need; Thank you for raising this important matter; COJ Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP Secretary of State for Education they hope they 37

Dear MT Burke Thank you for sending a copy of the Regulation 28 report of 26 July 2019, concerning the inquest into the tragic death of Owen Williams on 16 August 2018_ In responding; wanted to set out the actions that UCAS already takes to support students in the release of examination results and university decisions, as well as the future steps we are taking to address the issues you have highlighted: UCAS is an independent charity, running the UK'$ national higher education admissions service. year, we help around 700,000 students apply for full-time undergraduate courses at nearly 400 UK universities and colleges We are committed to ensuring that everyone who can benefit from higher education is able to do so and to go on to succeed once they have started their course: We work in partnership with charities and other organisations to provide practical and inspiring information, advice and resources for under- represented groups, as wellas producing reports to inform public debate: In particular, we seek to provide information on the options available to students throughout the process, including when a student has been unsuccessful in securing their preferred place: Each year, UCAS and UK universities and colleges are given early access to A level results under strict embargo arrangements with the Joint Council for Qualifications (ICQ): The embargo period covers the defined period of time where early access to embargoed examination results is given. This allows universities and colleges to prepare and make decisions by the official publication dates of exam results. During this time, neither UCAS nor universities are permitted to discuss results or the subsequent admission decisions (from which a result could be inferred) with students. This embargo is lifted by JCQ at 06.00 on the morning of A level results at which point students can receive their A level results. Many schools and colleges require students to collect their results in person, thus ensuring they are supported if do not achieve the results they wanted; however, practice does vary across the sector. UCAS Track is the online system students use to monitor their university offers and decisions. During the embargo period, Track is temporarily suspended and re-opens at 08.00 on the morning of A level results Whilst students are unable to access their A level results this way; they can see if have been accepted by their chosen university, or whether they have entered Clearing: UCAS IS THE TRADING NAME OF THE UNNERSITIES AND COLLEGES ADMISSIONS SERVICE. REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES: 2839815 (LMITED BY GUARANTEE} PEGISTERED CHARITY IN ENGLAND AND WALES: 1024741 AND SCOTZLAND: SC038598 REG[STERED OFF(CE AS ABOVE Clare Every day, they day; they

Throughout the day, and in the lead up to results we send applicants email updates that include practical information and advice about what to expect; and what to do if their application has been unsuccessful. Our website, ucas com, explains what happens on results and gives advice on preparing for results dav (WWW ucas comL undergraduatelresults- confirmation-and-clearing/ucas-undergraduate-results) what to doafter Vou_have received your exam results (www ucas com/undergraduatelresults-confirmation-and- clearing/resultslafter-vou-get-vour-exam-results) and Clearing (www ucas comlundergraduatelresults-confirmation-and-clearing what-clearing): This year we signposted new resources trom the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust for students who feel need help looking after their wellbeing at this time. Most importantly, our Customer Experience Centre offers support via telephone and social media during the Confirmation and Clearing period, ensuring students have access to the right information and advice for their needs: Please note that other Level 3 qualification results are subject to different embargo periods For example, the results of Pearson BTEC qualifications (RQF) are released the before A level results, although some centres do not provide these until A level results This means that; for students who have early access to these results, there is a long period of uncertainty: On receipt of your letter; we contacted the Department for Education (DfE) and (JCQ) to discuss our own concerns about the time at which students can access their results without support from their school or college and the inconsistency in approach: We believe improvements be made to the process, and we are keen to work with DfE, JCQ, awarding organisations, schools, and colleges to improve the overall experience for students. In order to take this forward, we will jointly host a roundtable with DfE to explore how we can support students throughout the examination and results periods, particularly those who do not receive the grades had hoped for: At this roundtable, we will explore with JCQ, and a range of school and HE representatives, how we can achieve this, and protect students' wellbeing: In particular, we will explore: The creation and promotion of good practice amongst schools and colleges to facilitate a more consistent experience across different centres. Changing the time at which the embargo is lifted to ensure students are more able to readily access any support may require from teachers, careers advisers, parents and carers: How we can continue to support students who may not have secured a place at their chosen higher education provider, to ensure they are made aware of all the different choices available to them throughout the application process: In addition, UCAS will seek to improve the information and advice provided to students at this time, to ensure consistency and reassurance about alternative options where appropriate: This roundtable will happen before the end of 2019 to ensure outcomes are implemented prior to the 2020 examination awarding period: day; day they day day: could they they and

hope this offers clarification on how UCAS has been working to support students through the application process, and how we are seeking to improve the connection between applicants and higher education providers in the future: We will update you on the outcome of the roundtable, and any future developments in due course_