A-level and GCSE students across the Isle of Wight will now be awarded results based on their predicted grades by teachers, not the Ofqual algorithm.
The exam crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic has come under heavy fire, leading to the Government making a u-turn today (Monday).
Bob Seely MP has welcomed the news.
He has said:
“I welcome this clear statement from the Government.
“I appreciate that the last few days have been difficult for many students on the Island, and I am grateful to those constituents who have made contact with me on this important issue.
“As I said last week, I share the concerns of those who felt that Ofqual’s initial approach to A-level grading was having an adverse impact on some young people’s futures – and I urged the Government to consider adopting the same approach for England as has been done in Scotland. I am pleased that they have now done this.
“We must take account of the fact that we are living in unprecedented times and recognise what our young people – and their families – have been through over recent months.
Article continues below this advertisement “Last week, I congratulated the many Isle of Wight students who secured the grades they hoped for, or needed. I now extend these congratulations to those students who will now also receive the grades they deserve, and wish them all well for the future.
“I look forward to seeing the results for GCSEs on Thursday, and I welcome the clarity the Government has provided on this front. I hope that many of these GCSE students will now be able to progress into further education or other training opportunities on the Island, or elsewhere. We must ensure that all schools, colleges and other education institutions are open, in full, this autumn.”
The problem Bob, your government knew many months ago that the exams wouldn’t be taking place.
Then your colleges published the algorithm would be used, then a site advising people how to complain which was pulled down within hours.
Yet another shambles.
When will you and you government get something right from the start?
What a fiasco! I simply do not know why, in these unique circumstances, government did not just trust the teachers from the get go. OK, there will probably be a bit of grade inflation this year, but so what? For the vast majority of students A levels are not terminal exams and are primarily used to access the next stage of education. I have a couple of university degrees from top places and climbed the greasy pole. On no occasion that I can remember, starting with my interview as a VSO volunteer after initial graduation and ending with my interview to be the CEO of the Isle of Wight being asked for my A level results. After all, it isn’t as if you need the particular required grades to show proven ability to follow your chosen course – it is very largely supply and demand. A lot of people apply for medical school so medicine requires 3 As as an initial sift.