Will pupils get the exam results they deserve?

sir – At my school and at many others in both the public and private sectors (Letters, July 23), hundreds of hours of live online lessons were delivered to pupils during lockdown.

My school taught its entire curriculum, moving all teaching online overnight. We lent laptops to disadvantaged pupils and checked in individually to see how all pupils and their families were getting on.

We stayed open for children of key workers; staff, including our Special Educational Needs team, came to school to work with those pupils who needed it most.

Pupils came in small groups from June 15 to work on art and music coursework, and to receive catch-up classes in maths and English. Everything followed Government guidance on social distancing.

During the summer, we are running a three-week course of catch-up classes, thanks to our partnership with Thomas’s Foundation.

My teachers worked exceptionally hard and I am sure others did too. My real worry is that Ofqual is not going to ensure that my GCSE and A-level pupils get the results they deserve. Cancelling exams and a seemingly random approach to awarding grades could be the summer’s real scandal. Clare Wagner

Headteacher, West London Free School London W6

sir – I taught all my life in the state system, so am aware that teachers enjoy job security and a generous pension on retirement.

During the pandemic, they were not furloughed and remained on full salary, while the great majority were not required (by their unions) to work as hard as normal.

They will go back in September on increased pay, unlike millions in other professions who are likely to lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Yet the Association of School and College Leaders regards this pay award as a “kick in the teeth” (report, July 22). Peter Sandall

Ludlow, Shropshire