John Dickens | Schools Week

Stats watchdog to launch review into Ofqual’s results algorithm

The government’s statistics watchdog is to launch a review into how Ofqual’s controversial results algorithm was developed. The review will look at statistical models used for exam grading to “highlight learning from the challenges faced through these unprecedented circumstances”. It will not look at the implications of the model on individual results, or take a view […]

ASCL calls for independent inquiry into exam results fiasco

A school leaders’ union has amped up the pressure on government, calling for an independent inquiry into this year’s exam results fiasco. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) general secretary Geoff Barton said there was an “urgent” need to “rapidly establish exactly what went wrong with the process for awarding grades to A-level […]

Ministers have passed the buck to universities – here are the consequences

After days of growing pressure, it was inevitable government and the beleaguered education secretary Gavin Williamson eventually u-turned and reverted to centre assessments rather than the now discredited algorithm. But the idea that all problems are solved couldn’t be further from the truth. Indeed the very students government belatedly acted to try and help, may […]

Pearson corrects education secretary over false BTEC downgrades claim

The awarding body for BTECs has corrected education secretary Gavin Williamson after he said two per cent of results for the vocational qualification were moderated down. Williamson, who is already under fire after U-turning on allowing GCSE, A-level and vocational students to use centre-assessed grades, told BBC Breakfast this morning: “Two per cent of results […]

DfE unable to explain GCSE results day confusion – as Williamson contradicts his own guidance

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said GCSE pupils will get their actual grade on Thursday – seemingly contradicting earlier government guidance saying this would be delayed until next week. A Department for Education press release published last night said pupils would get their centre assessed grades on Thursday, but won’t get “official results” until next […]

The U-turn may push grade anger towards schools – but at least we can defend our results

The A-level results last week followed a precedent set by the Scottish Advanced Highers and revealed there is just not an easy way to award grades for hundreds of thousands of students who, through no fault of their own, could not sit the examinations. It has been an extraordinarily difficult year for our A level […]

The inelegant fix of awarding CAGs puts year 12s at the sharp end of this crisis

After days of uncertainty, we’ve learnt the government’s pathway out of their exam fiasco. In debates about appeals, admissions and teacher assessments, one thing is clear – lessons must be learnt and Gavin Williamson must go, says Jane Cahill The government has accepted that centre assessment grades are the only solution out of the exam […]

Results fiasco U-turn: your questions answered

In what must be one of the highest profile U-turns in education history, the government said today that students will be awarded teacher grades, with Ofqual’s controversial results-by-algorithm ditched. There’s been a lot to keep up with, and new details are emerging quickly. So here’s a hopefully helpful round-up of what you need to know. […]

Williamson suggests he didn’t analyse Ofqual algorithm until after it was published

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has suggested he first got proper sight of Ofqual’s controversial algorithm – and the troublesome results awarded this year – when they were published publicly. When challenged over claims he only spotted concerns with the system this weekend, Williamson said the department “consistently” asked Ofqual a “large number of challenging questions” […]