Leading Portsmouth headteacher’s concerns for pupils after government confirms GCSE and A-level results day plans
STUDENTS picking up GCSE and A-level results this summer may feel that the system is not fair - and the long wait may cause anxiety.
That's the fear of one Portsmouth headteacher after the government said that this year's results would be revealed not in ‘mid-July' as had previously been suggested but as usual in August, even though exams have been scrapped this year.
Simon Graham, headteacher at St Edmund’s Catholic School, has questioned why the process will take so long and feels any results day will be tarnished due to some students being disappointed.
‘This will not be a normal results day with the usual excitement and tension,’ he said. ‘Due to the algorithm of how results have been calculated some students will feel it was not a fair process.
‘We have to have all our data submitted by the end of May. Students are going to be waiting much longer than they have in the past to get their grades. From my point of view this is just prolonging the wait for already anxious young people.’
With students given the opportunity to appeal grades as well as potential plans for autumn examinations ‘at the end of September’, Mr Graham is concerned about the time frame.
‘By keeping the same dates this leaves it very late for students who don’t get the grades they’d hoped for,’ he said.
Other headteachers across the region thought the decision was understandable but said it was only the right decision if the additional time ensured the system of awarding grades is ‘fair’ for students and schools.
Headteacher at Crofton School in Stubbington Simon Harrison said: ‘In an ideal world it would have been good for students to find out earlier but if taking a little longer means that in the end the students get results which are fair then on balance this is a good thing.’
Portsmouth teacher and vice-president of the National Education Union, Amanda Martin added: ‘This is a sensible decision. Not only does it give schools time to accurately assess predicted outcomes but it also allows clear plans to be put in place for appealing grades or sitting autumn exams.’
Chris Anders, headteacher at Park Community School in Havant, feels the date has been pushed back due to complexities of grade calculations.
‘I think there has been a realisation of how complicated it will be to come up with a fair system,’ he said.
As well as submitting predicted grades, schools have to rank all pupils in each subject according to how they would have been expected to perform. Mr Anders explained that students previous attainment in Standard Assessment Tests, taken in Year 6, as well as previous school performance and attainment of ‘different types of schools’ would be factored into a calculated grade
‘Once the Department for Education realised results weren’t going to be out before July there was also the logistical issue of having staff in school. At least on these dates plans are already in place,’ he said.
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Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for education, Suzy Horton, feels the announcement is a ‘good thing’ and, social distancing permitting, will enable students to have ‘some closure’ on their time at school.
‘To finish school so abruptly was difficult for many students and hopefully they’ll be able to experience results day with their teachers and friends,’ she said.
School standards minister, Nick Gibb, said: We know this is an important milestone for students, parents and teachers and I hope this news will provide them with some reassurance and clarity.’