EB / News / Curriculum / Students have been treated fairly, says Ofqual
Students have been treated fairly, says Ofqual
EB News: 09/08/2021 - 11:44
Simon Lebus has said that students getting results this week can feel satisfied that their grades are fair.
The head of Ofqual, which oversees exams in England, strongly defended the system for deciding A-level and GCSE results this year, which have been decided by teachers' estimates, by looking at various pieces of work and mock exams over the past year. It differs to last year's controversial system, which caused chaos by using an algorithm and was eventually scrapped.
He said that while pupils can appeal a teacher's judgement, the bar is high and that teacher assessments give a ‘much more accurate reflection’ of what students can achieve.
Alongside the option to appeal, either due to administrative problems or disputing a teacher's judgement, there will also be the opportunity to take exams in the autumn.
A-level students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get their results on 10 August, while those in Scotland will receive their Scottish Higher and Nationals results.
GCSE results will be give to students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 12 August. Results day for the equivalent exams in Scotland is 10 August - although students were told their provisional results in June.
BTec students will also get their results on 10 and 12 August.
A recent TeacherTapp survey found that only half of parents attended parents evening appointments at secondary schools, while a much higher percentage attend for primary schools.
Headteachers in Scotland, following over £1 billion investment from the government, say that the attainment of their pupils that are experiencing poverty has improved.
New research has found that one in four (28 per cent) school leaders and headteachers across England are planning to leave their roles, with 23 per cent attributing this to stress and poor mental health.
The Welsh government is to increase the funding for the Flexible Skills Programme from £1.3 million a year to over £7.5 million, with support available for employees to access upskilling or re-skilling training courses.
New data has found that Childline delivered 2,895 counselling sessions for anger issues, online and over the phone over the last year, which is a six per cent increase on the previous 12 months.