Relief as U-turn sets students on better course
STUART PIKE
A-LEVEL and GCSE students across the Valley are breathing a sigh of relief after this week’s government U-turn on its controversial grading system.
Following a huge backlash after Thursday’s results were published, grades will now be based on teachers’ assessments rather than the controversial algorithm by regulator Ofqual. The change also applies to GCSE results in England, due this Thursday.
Students awarded a higher grade by the moderation process will be allowed to keep it, but for many pupils, their teachers’ predictions could see their grades increased.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson and Ofqual both apologised for the debacle, however, there remain concerns that the
U-turn will cause issues for students looking for a university place.
Joanna Griffiths, headteacher of Alder Grange Sixth Form, said students, teachers and families had been on “an emotional rollercoaster of a week”.
She said: “Whilst some were celebrating, too many saw plans change and future studies in doubt. It was always going to be challenging to find a fair way to allocate grades this year, but last week’s algorithm seemed to disadvantage too many at Alder Grange Sixth Form.
“Some saw drops of as many as three grades. The U-turn is fairer and a huge relief to all of us.”
Earlier in the week MP Jake Berry called for the system to be “reviewed” after talks with the headteacher of Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School and “a number of very concerned students and parents”.
In a letter to Mr Williamson, Mr Berry wrote: “Some [BRGS] students have lost scholarships and places at University based on the changes and there is a widespread feeling that the school has been unfairly penalised based on the standardised grading model.”
Haslingden High School headteacher Mark Jackson had also described the initial grading system as “totally inadequate”.
He said: “A deep sense of unfairness has been felt by many students as the grades they have received have not taken into account their ability or work ethic.
“They are not representative of the standards students were consistently reaching in school.
“The human cost of this process has been immeasurable and will be felt for years to come by students who have faced considerable additional stress and some who have seen their career plans shattered.
“As a school, we hope the government take action to resolve the sense of this injustice.”
James Turner, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in February last year, saw his results initially cut by two grades to an A and 2Bs, despite his forecast grades being achieved based on mock exams carried out while kneeling on the floor in pain.
Fortunately, James, who had to resit his exams this year due to two operations, has received an unconditional university offer.
Last year’s head boy James, from Bacup, said: “Results day is usually one of mixed emotions, that is expected. But results day this year was overwhelmingly depressing. I saw friends in tears, I saw parents in tears, and I saw teachers in tears.
“I’m pleased to see that the government has listened, and I hope that this screeching U-turn allows people who were disappointed on results day to finally celebrate results that they feel they have deserved.
“I feel much happier with my results, but understand that there are many out there who now face difficulty and tough decisions.”
Mr Williamson apologised to students and parents affected by “significant inconsistencies” with the grading process.
“This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for young people who were unable to take their exams,” he said in a statement.
“We worked with Ofqual to construct the fairest possible model, but it is clear that the process of allocating grades has resulted in more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process.”
Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor apologised for the “uncertainty and anxiety” caused by the fiasco. The U-turn would not apply to BTECs, he added.
See Scribbler on p8.