GENERATION HUNG OUT TO DRY

also lead an appeals taskforce, working with Ofqual and exam boards. But Education Secretary Gavin Williamson remains opposed to a Scottish- style U-turn where students are given original grades based on teachers’ assessments, sources insisted.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has told establishments to hold places for applicants chal

‘They deserve spirit of generosity’

lenging A-level grades until they receive their appeal outcome.

But schools, colleges and universities are still unclear how the new appeals process will work and what the likely timescale will be, despite there being little over three weeks until the deadline.

There is a further layer of uncertainty because the Government announced only on Tuesday that A-level and GCSE students will be able to use results in valid mock exams for challenges.

Ofqual has said it is ‘working urgently’ to set out how mocks will form the basis of an appeal, but further details will not be ready until next week.

On the suggestion that some students could be asked to defer places, Labour MP Justin Madders tweeted: ‘Haven’t these kids gone through enough already?’

On results day on Thursday, Ofqual revealed that 39.1 per cent of teachers’ estimates for pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: ‘We would encourage universities to show some flexibility.’ Saying these were ‘unique circumstances’ for students, he insisted: ‘ They deserve a spirit of generosity.’

Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, of the National Union of Students, said: ‘ The Government’s failure to ensure an adequate and timely appeals process was in place before A-level results day was wholly avoidable, and they must now act to address this crisis.’

Figures show fewer students than last year have so far found places through clearing.

More than 13,000 applicants have been accepted on to degree courses through the annual process that began on Thursday morning – down 24 per cent on the same point last year.

However, one Oxford college announced it would be accepting all students who had received offers, regardless of their grades.

Worcester College said: ‘ We made offers in 2020 to our most diverse cohort ever, and in response to the uncertainties... we have confirmed the places of all our UK offer-holders, irrespective of their A-level results.’