GCSE re-grade row continues

  • Wales
Michael Gove branded Leighton Andrews' re-grade calls a 'regrettable political intervention' Credit: PA Wire / PA Wire

Appearing before the Education Select Committee this morning, Education Secretary Michael Gove made it clear that he does not agree with calls made by the Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews for a GCSE re-grade.

Yesterday Mr Andrews ordered the WJEC exam board to re-grade its English language GCSE after many students were were awarded lower grades than expected.

Michael Gove told MPs on the Education committee that the move was 'irresponsible and mistaken' and was a 'regrettable political intervention'.

He went on to accuse Leighton Andrews of 'attempting to shift blame' from what he claimed was Labour's poor record on education in Wales.

Mr Gove said employers would not be able to count Welsh GCSE results as equal to those in England - and he said that would have long-term effects.

Leighton Andrews has hit back at the criticism, saying that it's Mr Gove who is undermining parental confidence in GCSEs.

Here is his statement in full: