WATCH: Nearly 40% of Jersey students to see A Level grades rise

Monday 17 August 2020

Two in five Jersey students are expected to see their A Level grades rise after a massive backlash over the "unfair" marking system led to a U-turn by the UK Government.

The switch to teachers’ assessment grades will also apply to the GCSE results, which are due to be released later this week.

As A Level exams didn’t take place as planned this summer due to the pandemic, students’ grades were instead issued by exam boards, based on teacher assessments, class rank and past performance. 

However, in the lead-up to results day, concerns were raised about the unfairness of the algorithm being used to determine grades, with some students having the grades predicted by their teachers downgraded by as many as three levels.

Figures released by Ofqual showed that nearly 40% of grades were lower than those submitted by teachers due to the algorithm used to calculate grades. Nearly a third (35.6%) were downgraded by one grade.

Pictured: Two in five students received a grade lower than the one predicted by their teachers in Jersey.

In Jersey, nearly 40% of students received a grade lower than the one predicted by their teachers.

The majority of this group were downgraded by one grade, while 4% received two grades lower. Only 3% of students received a higher grade.

For some, this affected university offers.

On results day, schools in Jersey said they would be challenging grades where they felt they did not reflect their students’ aptitudes.

Pictured: The chair of Oqual said as no “easy solution” to the problem of awarding exam results in the absence of exams taking place.

But this afternoon the UK Government announced a major U-turn, saying grades will now be awarded on the basis of what teachers submitted both for A-Levels and GCSEs.

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

“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."

Pictured: Ofqual said their approach had placed a "burden" on teacher at a time they should be focusing on preparing for the new term.

Mr Taylor said there was no “easy solution” to the problem of awarding exam results in the absence of exams taking place. He however acknowledged that the approach Ofqual adopted had “caused real anguish and damaged public confidence”.

“Expecting schools to submit appeals where grades were incorrect placed a burden on teachers when they need to be preparing for the new term and has created uncertainty and anxiety for students. For all of that, we are extremely sorry,” he added.  

“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.”

Pictured: The Education Minister, Senator Tracey Vallois, aid she had been “greatly disappointed” by the way the results had been “calculated, communicated and subsequently handled”.

Speaking this morning ahead of the U-turn, Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois said she had been “greatly disappointed” by the way the results had been “calculated, communicated and subsequently handled."

“It is particularly upsetting to see the unnecessary and distressing impact this has had on Jersey’s students and their teachers,” she added

“I would like to make it clear that I value highly the hard work and commitment of our young people and their teachers, and I am proud and humbled by how they have responded throughout this very difficult time.” 

Meanwhile, local schools have welcomed the news of Ofqual's decision.

"The Ofqual system may have been designed to work at a national level. Unfortunately it didn’t work and was unfair for many individuals," Jersey College for Girls wrote on their Facebook page. 

"This U-turn is the fairest outcome in these unique times and will hopefully provide certainty for our A level students and reassurance for our GCSE students."

Children's Minister Senator Sam Mézec commented on Twitter: I am so disappointed that many young people will have faced totally undeserved uncertainty caused by the chaos of the grading system imposed by the UK government.

"Our work now must focus on helping all students fulfill their aspirations, and provide whatever support necessary."

I am so disappointed that many young people will have faced totally undeserved uncertainty caused by the chaos of the grading system imposed by the UK government. Our work now must focus on helping all students fulfill their aspirations, and provide whatever support necessary.

— Senator Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) August 17, 2020

Assistant Education Minister Deputy Jeremy Maçon shared his thoughts on the news in a video...