Cooper welcomes exam score u-turn

ROSIE Cooper MP welcomed the Government’s u-turn on A-Level grades and branded the original system ‘shambolic’.

Days after 40,000 students had their predicted results reduced and many missed out on university places as a result, education secretary Gavin Williamson gave into pressure and announced that teacher assessed grades would be awarded instead.

The change came too late for many who had already seen their university places filled up and after days of delays and protests across the country.

West Lancashire MP Ms Cooper said she had been inundated with concerns from constituents about the “shambolic system” which penalised those from deprived areas and favoured those in private education.

She said: “I have raised my concerns and those of my constituents directly with the education secretary and am pleased that the Government has now u-turned on this important issue.

“My concern now is that those who lost out on university places during admissions are not now disadvantaged and that

Government take whatever action necessary to ensure this situation is resolved.’’

The MP added: “Keir Starmer (Labour party leader) has called for an urgent technical review of the standardisation model ahead of GCSE results this week.

‘‘I fully support calls for a return to teacher assessment grades that were submitted.”