England’s A-levels and GCSEs to be based on teacher assessments
A-levels and GCSEs in England will now be awarded based on the “centre assessment grades” from teachers, the government has announced.
The much-anticipated U-turn from the exams regulator comes after days of savage criticism of Boris Johnson by students, teachers, and cross-party MPs over the controversial system for awarding results.
Roughly 40% of A-level results were downgraded after Ofqual, the exams regulator, used an algorithm based on schools’ previous results – a system that has been ruthlessly criticised over the last few days.
“What changed was seeing the experience of young people receiving grades and being distressed at the need to then have to go and appeal grades”
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 17, 2020
Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor says exam regulator took the “wrong road” on A-level and GCSE gradinghttps://t.co/NTVK1STLi3 pic.twitter.com/8mI6MJYanU
Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor says exam regulator took the “wrong road” on A-level and GCSE grading, saying: “What changed was seeing the experience of young people receiving grades and being distressed at the need to then have to go and appeal grades”
Mr Williamson said students and parents had been affected by “significant inconsistencies” with the grading process.
Pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get their GCSE results on Thursday.
The move follows a similar announcement by the Welsh government earlier this afternoon and brings England in line with the other UK nations.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.