A-Levels: UK government to fund grade appeals in England

Nearly 40 per cent of teacher-predicted grades were downgraded

Students hold placards outside Downing Street in London as they protest against the downgrading of A-level results. AFP

The British government will fund the cost of exam result appeals by schools in England, after nearly 40 per cent of pupils had their teacher-predicted A-Level grades downgraded by a controversial moderation system.

Authorities said they did not want finance concerns to stop schools potentially contesting A-Level and GCSE grades. Senior politicians and education figures are to meet daily until September 7 as part of a task force dedicated to ensure the process is carried out quickly.

Each appeal typically costs between £10-25 (Dh48-120) but can reach as high as £125 (Dh600) in more complicated cases.

Education Minister Gavin Williamson said: “I know that alongside the success of so many young people, there have been some difficult cases.”

“I have said repeatedly that my absolute priority is fairness for students, and I do not want anything holding them back from achieving the grades they deserve.”

The government has been heavily criticised for its handling of the A-Level situation after exams were cancelled earlier this year.

Overall results were up on a year ago, but many teachers said their pupils had been unfairly treated while others raised concerns that the system adopted by the Ofqual exam board regulator favoured students at better performing schools.

When teachers were asked to predict what their pupils would attain, grades were 12.5 per cent higher than in 2019. The moderation system took into account the historic performance of the school, leading to claims that bright young people from poorer areas could suffer.

Amid the anger there have still been many heart-warming stories including the case of Iraqi refugee Buraq Ahmed, 18, who will study medicine at the famed Cambridge University after he achieved A*s in biology, chemistry, economics and maths.

Mr Ahmed travelled to Wales with his grandmother when he was three for treatment on his congenital hip dysplasia after his parents sold their home to fund his journey.

"Neither my grandmother or myself spoke English when we arrived in the UK and there were many days when I was unable to move" he told Metro.

"Initially we were only coming to the UK for a limited time however the Iraq War and ISIS terrorism attacks meant we couldn’t go back. As a child, you don’t realise the trauma you and your family are going through and I was fortunate that my grandmother was always there for me.”

Mr Ahmed said his treatment by the National Health Service motivated him to become a doctor.