Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about A level and GCSE results this year.

I understand this has been a distressing time for students. The pandemic has created circumstances no one could ever have imagined or wished for. The qualifications and exams regulator, Ofqual, has said that it wants to remove as much stress and uncertainty for young people as possible.

I thought the proposal to determine results by algorithm was unfair and wrote directly to ministers on behalf of pupils in my constituency, asking them to allow teachers to determine marks.

I'm very pleased to report that Ofqual and the Government have decided that the best way to do this is to award grades on the basis of what teachers submitted. The switch to centre assessment grades will apply to both AS and A levels and GCSE results.

While the goal has always been to ensure students receive the results they need to move on to their next step, the initial approach caused real anguish and damaged public confidence. The system resulted in too many unfair outcomes, and expecting schools to submit appeals where grades were incorrect placed a burden on teachers when they need to be preparing for the new term and has created uncertainty and anxiety for students.

This summer students will therefore be awarded their centre assessment grade, that is the grade their school or college estimated they would most likely have achieved in their exam, or the moderated grade, whichever is higher.

I have been assured that the Department for Education is working with Ofqual, universities and everyone else affected by this issue to ensure they have the support they need.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

Yours,

EDWARD LEIGH MP