Relief after results U-turn
CONTROVERSIAL ALGORITHM TO DECIDE A-LEVEL RESULTS IS DROPPED, BUT STUDENTS STILL FACE AN ANXIOUS WAIT
FOR thousands of students, the last five days have been nothing short of a nightmare.
A controversial algorithm grading system adopted by the government, left many students receiving their A-level results in turmoil.
Almost 40 per cent of results were downgraded last Thursday, meaning scores of students were rejected from universities, and left with uncertainty about their future.
But following a major backlash from students, teachers and even Tory MPs, grades will now be reversed and based on teacher’s assesments.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, apologised for the distressed caused, as he announced the shock U-turn yesterday afternoon.
While the decision has been welcomed by students, many are still waiting to hear if the change will allow them to attend university in September.
Jude Sutton required grades ABB to study Computer Science at the University of Sheffield, but on results day he received BCC.
The 18-year-old from Stretford was offered a place, but was told he would need to complete a foundation year if he wanted to attend.
Today’s announcement means Jude’s grades are now ABB. He is hoping the change will mean he can go to university without having to complete an extra foundation course.
“It’s great news. I was very surprised at how low my original grades were because I had never got below an A in Computer Science, so to see I got a B was heartbreaking,” Jude said.
“I think the way they have handled it is pretty poor. Using an algorithm is a terrible idea because there is no way for it to know me as a person.
“My teachers know me much better than anyone in the government or an algorithm.”
The news has not provided automatic relief for all students, particularly those who are classed as ‘private’ or ‘external’ candidates.
Charlotte Walker-Prosser, 19, was expecting to achieve two A’s but was awarded a B and a C last Thursday.
The former Loreto Grammar School pupil, who lives in Cheadle Hulme, was due to resit two of her A-levels after she didn’t achieve the grades she wanted last year.
She is still waiting to find out what today’s announcement means for her, but predicts she will now be awarded two B’s. Charlotte hopes the grades will be enough to get her a place at Sheffield university, after she missed out on a place at Manchester.
“I am still waiting at the moment but I think it should be good news,” she said.
Charlotte said the grades sent off for moderation had to be predicted from her old school grades, due to the fact she was a private candidate.
“Because I’ve been studying at home, they can’t acknowledge that I have done any work even though I have done loads of tests this year and have got constant A’s one after another”, she said.
“I am just hoping the announcement pushes my grades to BBB so that I can study Economics at the University of Sheffield.
Amy Turnbull was expecting to achieve an A* and two A’s on results day, but instead got three C’s.
She hoped to fulfil her dream of studying medicine at Lancaster University,
but was rejected because of her results.
Amy had already postponed exams after breaking her back in a skiing accident. She sat mock exams just a few weeks later and achieved three B’s.
She says despite the government U-turn, her results will be BBB, meaning she still doesn’t have the grades for her choice of university.
“I don’t think the grades that the college submitted for me reflect the grades I could’ve gotten,” Amy said.
“I don’t see how a college can judge what grades I would have gotten when they haven’t seen me the whole year and have given me the chance to show my potential.
“I feel that I am stuck for options and don’t feel like my voice is being heard.”
● See page 12 for more details on the government’s A-level results U-turn.