Students have been treated fairly, says Ofqual

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.