'They've moved the goalposts again': Students more confused than ever over impending A Level results

  • Claire McGlasson went to find out more


Students across the region are currently preparing to receive their A Level results on Thursday.

It's a day normally riddled with anxiety and uncertainty, but more so this year due to the pandemic.

After mistakes were made with the grading system in Scotland, the government has announced eleventh hour changes for students here.

Those who get grades lower than those predicted by their teachers will now be able to appeal to use the results of their mock exams earlier in the year.

Some pupils say this is too confusing, and too late.

One student from Cambridgeshire, Dan Ridley, says he has no idea what his A Level grades will be when results are out in less than 24 hours. He says he feels like students have been left in limbo.

Students Nathan and Tom from Ramsey say the new system is confusing Credit: ITV News Anglia

Other students from Ramsey are feeling just as unsure.

An apology was given in Scotland this week after students protested against a moderation system which they claimed penalised those at disadvantaged schools.

Students protested in Scotland Credit: ITV News

The Government in England, however, stands by its system.

When exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers were asked to assess what they thought each pupil would achieve. They were then asked to put each student in rank order with each grade boundary.

Those marks would be standardised by the exam regulator Ofqul based on:

  • Previous results in that subject

  • Prior attainment of the year group

  • Results of the school or college in recent years.

The latest news was welcomed by the principal at Coplestone High School in Ipswich. He said:

"The announcement that they are going to look at mock results from the spring as well as the results from the statistical model, I think can only be a good thing because it is giving students another option. Alongside of course, the possibility of resitting in the autumn term which is what they have been talking about today with their triple lock."

Earlier today, ITV News Anglia's Russell Hookey spoke to Geoff Barton from the Association of School and College leaders. We asked him what he thinks about the Government changes, if this is the right approach, and what advice he has for parents and students who are worried.

  • To hear what Geoff had to say, watch the video below: