PUPIL POWER PAYS OFF AS GOVERNMENT U-TURNS ON SQA GRADES

ALL downgraded exam results will be withdrawn, Education Secretary John Swinney has announced. Revealing the U-turn, after defending the downgrading and moderation system last week, Swinney said that he was making the decision even though it means a rise in pass rates “unprecedented” in Scottish exam history.

Swinney apologised to every young person who had their result downgraded from the estimate supplied by their teacher.

He said all 75,000 pupils who had lower-than-expected results would receive a new certificate with the grade estimate from their teacher.

Swinney said he had been concerned about grade inflation, with the big increase in pass rates the estimates produced.

Furious pupils protested in George Square last week after it emerged pupils in poorer areas were downgraded more than in more affluent areas.

Swinney said: “These are exceptional times, and in exceptional times truly difficult decisions are made. In speaking directly to the young people affected by the downgrading of awards – the 75,000 pupils whose teacher estimates were higher than their final award – I want to say this: I am sorry.

“I have listened and the message is clear. They don’t just want an apology, they want to see this fixed and that is exactly what I will now do. To resolve this issue all downgraded awards will be withdrawn. I am directing the SQA to re-issue those awards based solely on teacher or lecturer judgement.” The decision means:

• Where a teacher estimate was adjusted down by the SQA, candidates will receive the grade the teacher awarded.

• Candidates whose entries were adjusted up by the SQA will retain the higher grade.

• The SQA will inform schools of the revised results by Friday, August 21, for schools to tell pupils. New certificates will be issued in due course.

• The SQA will provide new grades to UCAS and other college and university admissions bodies, and the Scottish Government will ensure enough places at colleges and universities so that all places awarded to young people can be taken up.

Swinney is still facing a motion of no confidence by opposition parties in Holyrood tomorrow, however, the Scottish Greens said they are now satisfied with the changes, meaning Swinney is likely to survive the vote.

The reversal means a pass rate of 88.9% at National 5, which is an increase of 10%; a pass rate of 89.2% at Higher, up 14.2%; and an Advanced Higher pass rate at 93.1%, an increase of 13.7%.

In the longer term this year’s controversy could lead to a shakeup of how pupils are assessed.

Swinney announced a review of the decisions taken when exams were cancelled and also a review into the system of exams, assessment and qualifications.

Opposition parties were calling for Swinney to resign.

Jamie Green, Conservative education spokesman, said: “This humiliating U-turn is as welcome as it is overdue.

“The SNP defended their shocking handling of this scandal to the hilt, right up until it became clear that opposition parties would unite to force a change.

“Nicola Sturgeon needs to explain why the concerns of teachers, parents and pupils were dismissed out of hand until John Swinney was facing the sack.

“Mr Swinney’s apology does not change the fact that he has presided over a litany of failures, any still