a-levels
The government’s handling of grades will disadvantage vulnerable students for years, writes Equality Act Review founder Suriyah Bi.
Students from disadvantaged schools are worried their A-level results will be lowered by a computer. Schools cancelled exams when the country went into lockdown between March and July. Now, an algorithm used by regulator Ofqual will be used to award grades which considers a school's past performance when determining a pupil's grade. Here we speak to Rhianna Prewett who says that this puts her and other students from underprivileged backgrounds at a disadvantage.
“It sends a clear message that the British government does not trust its teachers."
Nearly 40% of UK grades are expected to be lowered by a “biased” algorithm.
Nick Gibb says the government will "apologise to nobody" for the move.
Teachers like me are meant to encourage pupils to believe they can achieve anything. Now we’re in the unenviable position of grading our students not for a weekly essay – but for life.
Concerns have also been raised that the appeals system could favour the most "well-heeled and sharp-elbowed" families.
More than 100 pupils achieved A star or A in all their subjects.
Stiven Bregu fled a violent home life in 2015 and was dumped alone, unable to speak English.
Even if you want to end up at university, deferred entry and a year abroad is an option. But can you afford it?