A-level and GCSE results will now be based on teacher’s grade predictions, after the government received days of criticism of their new algorithm-based approach.
The results for GCSE pupils will automatically be changed to whichever is higher of the grade their school or college estimated by teachers or the moderated grade.
Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary, has apologised for the ‘distress this has caused’.
He said: “We worked with Ofqual to construct the fairest possible model, but it is clear that the process of allocating grades has resulted in more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process,”
“We now believe it is better to offer young people and parents certainty by moving to teacher assessed grades for both A and AS level and GCSE results. I am sorry for the distress this has caused young people and their parents but hope this announcement will now provide the certainty and reassurance they deserve.”
Ofqual, the exam regulatory body, announced the news. Ofqual Chair Roger Taylor said: “It is clear that while it may have technical merits it has not been an acceptable experience for young people and we have therefore decided to change course.
“I would like to say sorry.”
Taylor has also not ruled out resigning over the disaster when asked this afternoon. He said he had ‘full confidence’ in the Chief Executive, Sally Collier.
The news comes after students protested for two days in London due to thousands of down-marked grades from the algorithm providing results.
Ofqual said that 39.1% of teacher’s predictions for pupils in England were lowered by at least one grade.
Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said: “The whole Government continues to work hard to come up with the fairest possible,” adding that Ofqual ‘continues to have the support of the Prime Minister’.
Pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get their updated GCSE results on Thursday.
