simon lebus | Schools Week

Ofqual chief criticised over ’embarrassing’ claim teacher grades ‘more accurate’ than exams

The head of England’s exams regulator has been criticised over his “embarrassing” claim that teacher-assessment grades were “likely to give a much more accurate” reflection of students’ capabilities than exams. We can feel satisfied it’s likely to give a much more accurate and substantial reflection of what their students are capable of achieving One former […]

Six things we learned about Ofqual from its annual report

Ofqual received more than 7,000 phone calls last August over the exams fiasco, new figures show. The exams regulator has published its annual report for 2020-21, and once again acknowledged its handling of standardised grades “had a detrimental impact on public trust and confidence in qualifications”. Here are five things we learned from the report. […]

2021 grade appeals have ‘very high’ threshold to meet, says Ofqual chief

Appeals to exam boards over grades issued this summer will have a “very high” threshold to meet, and there will be no scope for “speculative appeals”, Ofqual’s chief regulator has said. This year, students can request that their school reviews their teacher assessment grade for procedural problems or administrative errors. If they are not satisfied, […]

Ofqual loses Stacey’s input as 2021 committee disbanded

An Ofqual committee originally set up to oversee the summer exam series is to be disbanded as GCSE and A-levels have been cancelled. It means the experienced former chief regulator, Dame Glenys Stacey, will now no longer have a role in overseeing this summer’s grading system. As revealed by Schools Week , Stacey was to […]

Ofqual boss admits teachers face ‘heavier responsibility’ in exams replacement plan

Ofqual’s chief regulator has acknowledged teachers have been given a “heavier responsibility” under the proposals to replace exams this summer. But Simon Lebus, who started his interim role on the day that exams were cancelled, denied that the proposals put teachers in the firing line. In an interview with Schools Week, Lebus also warned over […]

Former Cambridge Assessment chief set for interim Ofqual role

A former exams company chief executive is set to replace Dame Glenys Stacey as the chief regulator at Ofqual, Schools Week understands. Simon Lebus is being lined up to take over the top position at the exams regulator as Stacey’s interim period comes to end on December 31. Lebus served as the group chief executive […]