MP comments on government exam u-turn

Yesterday the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, announced that pupils will received their centre-assessed grades for A-Level and GCSE exams. This is instead of those results produced by the government and Ofqual algorithm, which has proved controversial.

Commenting on this policy change, John Baron, the Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, said:

“The anguish of the last few days has been very distressing, as pupils who have already had to contend with a challenging year have had yet another ordeal to work through. It is very unfortunate that this has happened, and I have had my own private conversations with the Government about this whole situation, which was both foreseeable and foreseen.”

“It would have been much better for all concerned if, following the example of other countries, pupils had continued to take their exams this summer with appropriate measures taken to ensure social distancing and a safe environment. Those union representatives who bitterly opposed such measures should similarly examine themselves, as must the Government. Exams are not a perfect system, but as we have seen across the UK they are better than the alternatives.”

“However, given the circumstances I am pleased the Government has listened and has opted to honour the centre-assessed grades rather than those produced by the standardisation algorithm for both A-Levels and GCSEs. This will create anomalies of its own, but hopefully it will now provide some certainty for young people as they go forward and, as ever, I wish them every success in their chosen endeavours.”

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