Quarter of Sixth Form A-levels graded down
A QUARTER of A-level grades at the Sixth Form Centre and more than a third at Ladies College were adjusted down by Ofqual as students were caught in the exams fiasco.
A U-turn by the UK Government on Monday means that all those results will now be changed to follow teacher assessments instead after a controversial standardisation model was scrapped.
Some students who thought they had missed out on their first choice university as a result of the earlier grading are now waiting to hear what it means.
Nationally 39.1% of grades were adjusted down, 58.7% were left unadjusted and only 2.2% were adjusted up by the Ofqual algorithm which was based on past school performance.
At the Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre, 25.1% of grades were adjusted down, 62.7% were unadjusted and 12.3% were adjusted up.
At the College of Further Education, only 5% of grades were adjusted down, 85% were unadjusted and 10% were adjusted up.
Teachers’ estimates will be awarded unless the computer algorithm gave a higher grade.
A spokesperson from Education, Sport & Culture said: ‘Any student who has concerns about their future, or is having to change their plans following their Level 3 results, is encouraged to contact either the Sixth Form Centre, College of Further Education or the Guernsey Careers Service.
‘All are keeping up to date with the rapidly changing situation and are in a position to offer support and advice to anyone affected.’
Ladies’ College saw 36% of grades be adjusted down, 62% remained unchanged and only 2% were adjusted up.
Principal Ashley Clancy said it was in the process of reviewing the unenviable situation that a small number of students found themselves in with regard to their post-sixth form plans.
While the vast majority of students were able to follow their first choice for work or university, other pupils’ places were dependent upon an appeal, which is now irrelevant as their Centre Assessed Grade [teacher-given grade] means that they will now be accepted too.
A small number of students accepted their insurance offer, as their grades has not previously met the entry criteria for their firm choice. The school has contacted these students today to explore how they might best support those whose plans were adjusted because of Thursday’s results and the subsequent change to Centre Assessed Grades on Monday, which means that they now do meet the criteria.
‘It is our understanding that as long as a university has the physical space, the cap on numbers for this year has been removed and the universities will, we anticipate, seek to honour the initial offer if the Centre Assessed Grade now means their entry requirements have been met,’ Mrs Clancy said.
‘These students are encouraged to speak to the university and we will do all that we can to support them in reaching the outcome they desire.’
