Rotherham headteachers' 'frustration and anger' at A-Level results

Youngsters were graded using a much-criticised computerised algorithm in the wake of exams being cancelled due to the pandemic, leading to many not getting a place at university.

Coun Gordon Watson, cabinet member for children’s services, said he was saddened and angered to see the way schools, teachers and students had been let down 'by the chaotic way the Government has handled its flawed grading system'.

He added: "We will be liaising with our schools over the coming days to establish the full impact that this has had on grades and provide any support we can.

“As a former teacher, I know how stressful exam and exam result time can be and I can only imagine how tough it has been this year. A-Level exams are the culmination of years of schooling and should have been the opportunity for students to demonstrate everything they have learned in their school life, only for it to be cruelly taken away from them by Covid-19.

“These are extraordinary times and I would like to pay tribute to the incredible effort and determination shown by our schools, teaching staff and students in achieving their results."

Schools and colleges were asked to predict grades for pupils in each subject. Exam boards applied a formula to the estimated grades, which took into account factors, including the previous exam performance of schools, to calculate a final grade.

The Government announced on Tuesday that students would have the option of appealing through reference to their mock exam result, if it was better than the grade allocated to them.

They said using a mock result created a new ‘triple lock’ process to give young people added security, alongside options of accepting their calculated grade or sitting exams being arranged for the autumn.

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