Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Testing, Marking and Examination Systems

Monday 7 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ofqual decided to move to centre-assessment grades following issues with A-level results.
  • The model for recalculating grades was supported by a consultation where 89% of respondents backed it.
  • Swift action ensured all young people received just and fair results after anomalies emerged.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Barry Sheerman Lab Huddersfield
Education
Context

Refers to the chaos experienced during awarding grades this summer.

Question

Mr Sheerman asks if the Minister acknowledges that many families and students were hurt by the chaos in his Department due to instability and lack of firm leadership. He also asks what steps the Minister is taking to address these issues.

Answer from Nick Gibb (Minister for School Standards)

Ofqual decided to move to centre-assessment grades following the problems with A-level results, and within 48 hours recalculated grades were sent to schools. The model used was supported by a wide-ranging consultation with respondents backing it at 89%, also adopted in all four nations of the UK.

Answered
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Q2 Kate Green Lab Wirral South
Education
Context

Discusses the distress caused by the fiasco of last month's exam results to students, parents, teachers, universities and colleges.

Question

Ms Green inquires why the Secretary of State ignored warnings about dangers in the system of calculated grades from a former senior official, regulator, and what happened in Scotland. She asks for an explanation on these matters.

Answer from Nick Gibb (Minister for School Standards)

The warnings were raised with Ofqual; the model was assured to be fair by them despite challenges. When anomalies and injustices emerged after A-level results publication on 13 August, swift action ensured all young people received just and fair results.

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