Commenting on Ofqual’s detailing of the ‘exceptional
arrangements’ in place for awarding GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels
in 2020, Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"It is very good news that results from this year's
extraordinary exams process are broadly comparable to previous
years’ results, and that the majority of students will not be
disadvantaged by this year's process.
“This year’s exam grades have been calculated by teachers,
rank-ordered by teachers by subject, moderated by the school or
college and then fed into Ofqual’s statistical model which then
determines subject grades for students. A majority of
teacher-calculated grades were unchanged by the Ofqual process,
showing that Centre Assessed Grades have been as robust as exam
grading. This is a credit to the hard work and professionalism of
teachers, who have a sound understanding of their pupils'
attainment.
“We welcome Ofqual's commitment to equalities, and their
analysis that there appear to be no obvious differences between
the grades of different groups of students, meaning that
particular groups of students will not have lost out through this
process.
“This news should give confidence to students, parents,
teachers and school/college leaders that the system has been
fairly applied, and that teacher assessment has provided students
with accurate grades during a period of great
uncertainty.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
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The National Education Union stands up for the future of
education. It brings together the voices of more than 450,000
teachers, lecturers, support staff and leaders working in
maintained and independent schools and colleges across the UK,
to form the largest education union in Europe.
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It is an independent, registered trade union and
professional association, representing its members in England,
Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the
Channel Islands.
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The National Education Union is affiliated to the Trades
Union Congress (TUC), European Trade Union Committee for
Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). It is not
affiliated to any political party and seeks to work
constructively with all the main political parties.