Commenting on research suggesting young people believe
cancellation of A-Levels will damage their chances in university
applications, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary
of the National Education Union, said:
“The National Education Union supports the Sutton Trust’s
call for universities to make adjustments and provide support so
that students are not disadvantaged either in getting places in
their preferred university or in settling in and learning when
the time comes. Many will have missed aspects of work because of
the crisis and may need additional support.
“This has been a stressful and difficult time and students
are anxious about the impact of this year's A level changes on
their future choices. The arrangements being put in place,
however, are intended to support schools and colleges to make the
best judgements possible of their students'
attainment.
“The system also has a process of standardisation in place
to guard against unconscious bias and to make the process as fair
as possible.
“Some students find the exam process a disadvantage in
normal years and don't necessarily feel that they have performed
at their best. It is now time to have a serious overhaul of the
way we assess and exam young people and end this system of
everything resting on one final set of exams.”
