HUNDREDS of thousands of A-level and GCSE grades generated by computers are to be ditched and replaced with teachers’ predicted marks after a huge uproar, it was finally confirmed today.
Boris Johnson bowed to overwhelming pressure from parents, pupils and his own MPs and ripped up the whole system just days after it was put in place.
It means that kids will now have the highest grade out of the teacher predicted mark, or the computer-generated mark.
Scores of Tories from across the spectrum came out today to lash out at the Government’s handling of the crisis, and urged the Education Secretary to fix it before it was too late.
This afternoon Gavin Williamson said sorry again to thousands of pupils for the huge distress they suffered during days of stress and heartbreak.
Furious parents, students and politicians have blasted ministers for the unfair decision to mark kids’ teacher predicted grades down using controversial algorithms.
A staggering 39 per cent of A levels were downgraded by a computer algorithm last week – but Boris himself said the system was “robust”.
Students at poorer schools were even more disadvantaged as the models took into account their previous grades – even if the pupil themselves was predicted a string of top grades.
This afternoon Wales confirmed the drastic news, and England followed suit at 4pm.
They join Scotland and Northern Ireland, who have already torn up their systems following a huge outcry.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said this afternoon: “This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for young people who were unable to take their exams.
“We worked with Ofqual to construct the fairest possible model, but it is clear that the process of allocating grades has resulted in more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process.
“We now believe it is better to offer young people and parents certainty by moving to teacher assessed grades for both A and AS level and GCSE results.
“I am sorry for the distress this has caused young people and their parents but hope this announcement will now provide the certainty and reassurance they deserve.”
Roger Taylor, Chair of the exams regulator Ofqual said: “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.”
He admitted the change in the system had caused “real anguish and damaged public confidence”.
And the burden had been placed on teachers – who needed to get ready for the start of the new term rtaher than worry about sending off thousands of appeals.
He stressed: “For all of that, we are extremely sorry.
“We have therefore decided that students be awarded their centre assessment for this summer – that is, the grade their school or college estimated was the grade they would most likely have achieved in their exam – or the moderated grade, whichever is higher.”
It came after:
- Hundreds of kids marched outside Gavin Williamson’s office after the shambles
- The Ofqual boss was blasted for being ‘invisible’ & ‘more secretive than the KGB’ over the hated algorithm
- No10 denied that GCSE grades would be delayed later this week after the shambles last week
- Heads warned that the system was “completely unfit for purpose” and that A-level grades were now lower than the three year average
- Teachers said the reopening of schools in September could be delayed over the huge task of appealing for thousands of kids
- Several universities and colleges said they would honour predicted grades instead of the computer-generated marks
- Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and student Curtis Parfitt-Ford vowed to launch legal action against the Government unless they changed tack
- No Government ministers have been on the radio or TV today to explain the position as critics rounded on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted as soon as the move was confirmed: “The Government has had months to sort out exams and has now been forced into a screeching U-turn after days of confusion.
“This is a victory for the thousands of young people who have powerfully made their voices heard this past week.
“However, the Tories’ handling of this situation has been a complete fiasco.
“Incompetence has become this Government’s watchword, whether that is on schools, testing or care homes.
“Boris Johnson’s failure to lead is holding Britain back.”
It’s not clear yet what will happen now with university and apprenticesip applications.
Many have already been told they haven’t got their places after missing their grades. It’s not clear whether those offers will still stand – or universities will be forced to start all over again with allocating places.
Opposition MPs said the change came too little too late.
Wera Hobhouse tweeted: “While this u-turn is welcome, it comes too late for many students who have missed out on course places. The Government has shattered young people’s hopes and plans. @GavinWilliamson and @BorisJohnson – how will you make this right?”
Some universities have said they will take kids# predicted grades regardless of the changes anyway.
But others are sticking with the computer marks and have said they are already full up.
TORY REBELLION
Tory MPs are set to have meetings with ministers to explain the sweeping changes.
Churchill’s grandson and former Tory MP Sir Nicolas Soames branded Mr Williamson a “complete inadequate”.
Defence minister Johnny Mercer and Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt were two serving members of the Government to speak out ahead of the massive u-turn.
Dozens of backbenchers and former ministers soon joined in too, forcing the Government to act.
Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner also came out today to urge change.
She said: “Having looked at the evidence, it seems clear to me that GCSE results this year should be based on centre assessment grades – not the algorithm developed by Ofqual.”
Students have been left furious and devastated after algorithms marked their grades down – as they were unable to take exams due to the coronavirus crisis.
Exams boss Ofqual has said that the teachers’ grades are inflated and therefore will be out of step with other years.
The PM has confidence in the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, and the head of exams regulator Ofqual despite the chaos.
Boris Johnson broke off his Scottish holiday this morning to hold a call with the Education Secretary and other senior officials to discuss the huge change in policy.
The move came just 48 hours after Mr Williamson told The Times in an interview: “This is it. No U-turn, no change.”
Tory MPs – including current serving ministers – rounded on the Government for the shambles and demanded they change course.
No10 repeatedly refused to rule out whether the system would be ripped up this lunchtime, but stressed that GCSE grades would be coming out on Thursday as planned.
Yesterday Ofqual published its guidelines for how to appeal – but swiftly took them down after it emerged they contradicted the Government’s own policy on which grade could be used.
GAV UNDER PRESSURE
Labour big beast and ex Education Secretary Alan Johnson told HOAR that Mr Williamson should be sacked.
He said: “This job was totally beyond his capabilities. He should go. “They may try to blame it all on Ofqual, but this was Gavin Williamson’s mess and he has to take the bullet.”
Several Tories were rounding on him last week – amid speculation he could lose his job over the fiasco.
After the u-turn he was 2/1 with Ladbrokes to be the next Cabinet minister to leave their post.
Jessica O’Reilly of Ladbrokes said: “Given the backlash to exam grades it’s perhaps not too much of a surprise that Williamson is the clear favourite now in a hotly contested market.”
EXAMS BOSS BLASTED
Under-fire exams boss Sally Collier was today blasted for being “invisible” and “more secretive than the KGB” during the A Levels fiasco.
The Ofqual boss – a lifelong bureaucrat who earns a whopping £200,000 a year – has not been seen or heard from throughout the fiasco.
Fuming politicians and teachers said she must “show her face” and apologise to pupils let down by the disaster.
They called for her to be put on her final warning and sacked if a way out of the mess is not found.
Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the education select committee, told HOAR: “Ofqual have been more secretive than the KGB.
“They have behaved like secretive cardinals at the Vatican choosing a Pope rather than like officials developing a transparent grading system.
“There is going to need to be fundamental changes at Ofqual when this is all over.”
Former Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw brands the chaos a “terrible farce” and slammed “invisible” bosses at Ofqual.
Steve Chalke, boss of the academy school chain Oasis, told HOAR that Ms Collier in in the last chance saloon.
He said: “She should own up and apologise to every child for the emotional trauma and apologise to students and teachers.
“This mess is an insult to teachers and pupils.
“They had six months to get ready for this.”
Asked if she should quit over the fiasco, he said: “I believe in forgiveness, but she needs to step up and explain herself. This should be her last chance.”
The PM’s official spokesman insisted Boris Johnson still has full confidence in Ms Collier and Ofqual.
OFQUAL REBELLION
Last night Ofqual board members were reported to want controversial algorithm results overturned and replaced with predicted grades, the Telegraph said.
The board members reportedly wanted to U-turn but the Department had tried to hold firm.
“We are in a position where it is politically unacceptable to continue with the algorithm – this is the view of some people on the Ofqual board,” a source told the paper.
Former Ofsted boss Sir Micheal Wilshaw says the shambles is a “terrible situation” and a “farce”.
He told the BBC Radio 4 programme: “Ofqual have got to work much more closely with Government. It’s completely wrong that the Gov, DFE and Ofqual are not singing from the same hymn sheet, especially on appeals.
“Ofqual have got to get their act together and be much more visible.”
