Ofqual has just announced that teacher-assessed grades will be used to determine GCSEs & A level results this year following a shocking U-turn.

What has the regulator said?

Ofqual chair Roger Taylor, said: “We understand this has been a distressing time for students, who were awarded exam results last week for exams they never took.

The pandemic has created circumstances no one could have ever imagined or wished for.

We want to now take steps to remove as much stress and uncertainty for young people as possible – and to free up heads and teachers to work towards the important task of getting all schools open in two weeks.

After reflection, we have decided that the best way to do this is to award grades on the basis of what teachers submitted. The switch to centre assessment grades will apply to both AS and A levels and to the GCSE results which students will receive later this week.

What’s led to the u-turn

Criticism of the grading algorithm came about after 39% of teacher assessed-grades were downgraded, leading to heartbreak and confusion for students across England. Critics also pointed out that independent schools seemed to have collectively benefited from how grades were allocated this year.

The UK government’s decision to revert back to teacher-assessed grades brings England in line with other UK nations.

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