Dear reader,

Everyone across Northern Ireland will be saddened by the news that Captain Sir Tom Moore has died after contracting Covid-19. 

Captain Tom, who was an inspiration to millions as he helped raise over £32m for the NHS during lockdown, had been admitted to Bedford Hospital on Sunday after initially fighting pneumonia and then contracting Covid. 

For the second year in succession, GCSE and A-levels grades in Northern Ireland will be calculated by the schools themselves. 

Education Minister Peter Weir confirmed on Tuesday that with exams unable to take place as normal because of Covid-19, schools will instead provide evidence on each pupil’s performance to determine grades.

The school’s use of evidence in calculating the grades will be subject to review by the examinations body CCEA. 

Another 17 deaths related to Covid-19 have been recorded by the Department of Health in the last 24 hours. 

Each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas recorded a death during that period while nine of those who lost their lives were female and eight were male. 

Another 447 positive tests for Covid-19 were also recorded. 

Alistair Bushe

Editor

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