Opinion

If there’s a debate to be had about exams and algorithms, don’t let it take away from our achievements, says Olivia Eren When picturing my results day this time last year, I had no idea that it would be as chaotic and confusing as it has been over the past few days. The thought of […]

The results are in but the work of ensuring students rebuild their confidence has only just begun, writes Liz Bromley This week, teacher assessments plus adjustments by the qualifications regulator have caused GCSE grade inflation by some 20 per cent between grades 6 to 9, with more than 25 per cent more students receiving grades […]

There is a simple way for government to avoid this shoddy recent history from repeating itself, writes Alison Peacock Congratulations to all young people celebrating their GCSE grades this week. It is important that students and their families can justifiably celebrate the marks allocated and to use these exam results to ensure that they can […]

So, the game of rock-paper-scissors with kids’ exam results has been settled. If, at various points, we’ve had moderated grades trumping centre assessment grades (CAGs), and mocks trumping moderated grades, we’re now in a situation where both CAGs and moderated grades will count, with pupils awarded the higher of the two. So, what impact can […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

As the fiasco surrounding A-level results continues, Paul Whiteman says the increasingly political Punch and Judy show has served to mitigate against finding the right solution. Just when we thought the situation could not get worse, further confusion and uncertainty has been created by the publishing and then withdrawal of Ofqual guidance on appeals. It […]

Coupled with the impacts of COVID-19 itself, this year’s exam results mean Oxbridge entry is harder than ever. Paarul Shah looks at the challenges and how schools can support their students to make the transition This year’s exams arrangements pose unique problems for Oxbridge applicants, both successful and unsuccessful. What’s more, applicants for quantitative STEM […]