TESTING TIMES REPEATED WARNINGS THAT PUPILS WOULD SUFFER
➤March 18
Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, announces cancellation of this summer’s GCSES and A-levels, saying no one would be “unfairly penalised”.
➤April 9
Royal Statistical Society offers up two leading experts to help. Ofqual rebuffs the offer by placing “unacceptable” secrecy conditions on experts.
➤April 15
Ofqual publishes its proposals for producing GCSE and A-level results.
➤April 29
UCL warns the use of historic performance data for standardisation could “penalise ‘atypical’ students such as high achievers in low-performing schools”.
➤May 5
HMC, representing top independent schools, says some pupils could be unfairly graded downwards.
➤May 22
Ofqual admits consultation has thrown up doubts with claims its approach may be “unfair to individuals” who might have excelled.
➤June 18
Dennis Sherwood, a former Ofqual consultant, warns Ofqual that its plans are “unsatisfactory” and “could lead to trouble”.
➤June 30
Brampton College is among schools warning the algorithm is not geared up to take account of pupils’ prior achievement.
➤July 7
The education select committee tells ministers that it is “unconvinced” Ofqual’s safeguards will be enough.
➤Mid-july
Sir Jon Coles, former director general at the Department for Education, warns model is only 75 per cent accurate.
➤August 13
Teenagers receive their A-level results with pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds most likely to be downgraded. Head teachers react with dismay and anger.