PUPILS in England will have their exam results based on teacher assessments after a Tory Government U-turn.
It comes as several Tory MPs called on Boris Johnson to follow Scotland’s lead and base results on pupil’s predicted grades.
A number of students had prepared legal action after they saw their A-level grades dropped from As and Bs to Ds or even Us.
READ MORE: SNP hit out at Tories' 'rank hypocrisy' in following Scotland on exam results
As in Scotland, with exams cancelled, pupils’ grades were based on teachers’ assessments, which were then moderated by regulator Ofqual.
Also as in Scotland, the computer algorithm used by the body looked at the history of achievement of the pupil’s school, leading to thousands of A-level students having their marks downgraded because of where they studied, rather than because of their work. This had a disproportionate impact on students living in areas of deprivation.
The Welsh Government announced that A-levels and GCSEs would be awarded based on the “centre assessment grades” from teachers just hours before the Tories' U-turn in England.
READ MORE: Welsh Government changes exam results process as No 10 refuses to budge
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “The Government has had months to sort out exams and has now been forced into a screeching U-turn after days of confusion.
“This is a victory for the thousands of young people who have powerfully made their voices heard this past week.
“However, the Tories’ handling of this situation has been a complete fiasco.
“Incompetence has become this Government’s watchword, whether that is on schools, testing or care homes.
“Boris Johnson’s failure to lead is holding Britain back.”
However, the Tories’ handling of this situation has been a complete fiasco.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 17, 2020
Incompetence has become this Government’s watchword, whether that is on schools, testing or care homes.
Boris Johnson’s failure to lead is holding Britain back.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel