Regulator ‘satisfied’ system is a winner
PUPILS awaiting their results can “feel satisfied” their grades are fair, according to the head of the exams watchdog.
Youngsters will receive their A-level results today and GCSE grades on Thursday, with the marks determined by teachers, rather than exams, due to the Covid pandemic.
Ofqual interim chief regulator Simon Lebus said the watchdog wanted to create a system where every student was given a fair chance to show what they can do.
He said: “I’m very confident that, when they get their grades this week, they’ll be able to feel satisfied that that’s happened.”
Checks
Mr Lebus said there have been three stages of checks to ensure students can feel they have been “fairly treated”, including Ofqual checking the policies that schools have for awarding grades.
He added: “Teacher assessment allows teachers to observe student performance over a longer period, taking into account lots of different pieces of work.
“I think, from that point of view, we can feel satisfied that it’s likely to give a much more accurate and substantial reflection of what their students are capable of achieving.”
The Department for Education said it recognises the “unprecedented challenges” of the pandemic and that a “rigorous system to ensure grades are fair” is in place.
Higher or hired?…students are being encouraged to join the world of work
MINISTERS are backing a call for more youngsters to combine higher education studies with work to cut “astronomical” debt.
A leading campaigner for social mobility said university applications put a “massive” strain on the public finances, even though most students end up with few job prospects.
Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of The Sutton Trust charity, called on teenagers to take up employer-funded “degree apprenticeships” that combine studies with full-time employment.
“I think there are too many kids going to university,” he said. “Too many graduates come out with a lot of debt… with skills that the marketplace doesn’t want.
“The students aren’t going to be able to pay back the debt so that is a big problem.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was yesterday said to have agreed with the remarks while a senior official from his department pointed to the Government’s Skills Bill as part of its drive to “rebalance higher education”.
But the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “There are benefits to both university and apprenticeships.”
Problem... Sir Peter