GLASGOW school pupils will not sit exams this year amid fears over the spread of Coronavirus, the education secretary has announced.

John Swinney said prior attainment, coursework and teacher estimates will be used to determine pupils' grades after taking the "unprecedented" step to cancel the exam diet.

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It comes after Nicola Sturgeon announced all schools and nurseries were to close from the end of the week on Wednesday.

Glasgow Times: John Swinney made the announcement today John Swinney made the announcement today

It is the first time since 1888 in which exams have not taken place in Scotland. 

Mr Swinney told MSPs at Holyrood: “In all of our history, Scotland has never cancelled the exams.

“Since 1888 they have been held every May or June, without fail.

“In the midst of two world wars the exams went ahead. It is a measure of the gravity of the challenge we now face that I must today announce the exams will not go ahead this year.”

Despite the closures, the Education Secretary said for most pupils teaching would continue, in many cases through online learning, but there would be a focus on pupils in S4 to S6 who need to submit coursework.

Mr Swinney said today: “At the end of tomorrow, schools and nurseries should ordinarily close for children and young people.

“Teaching, learning and support will continue, albeit in different ways for different groups of children.

“Teachers and other staff who are well will continue to be working.

“Senior phase pupils with coursework for national qualifications to complete will be informed by their schools how to complete this.”

Fiona Robertson, Scotland’s chief examining officer and chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), said teachers will give estimated grades to pupils, based on “the available evidence gathered throughout the year” and previous scores.

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Pupils are still expected to receive their results no later than August 4.

Announcing a free post-results service to review grades, Ms Robertson added: “I fully appreciate that this will be an uncertain time for learners who have worked hard throughout the year and will now, with their families, be worried about what this means for them.

“Everyone here at SQA will do their utmost, with the support of the education system, to ensure that their hard work is rightly and fairly recognised, and allows them to proceed to further learning or work.”