'Announcement' due on A-level and GCSE exam results - reports

Numerous reports are suggesting that an announcement will be made on Monday, August 17 over this year’s A-level and GCSE results.
Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson. Picture: PA.Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson. Picture: PA.
Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson. Picture: PA.

It’s expected that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Ofqual will provide an update on Monday afternoon, according to reports across various outlets.

The Government has fallen under increasing pressure since A-level results day last week (on Thursday, August 13) to take action over the downgrading of students’ results, which saw many miss out on their chosen university places.

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A Number 10 spokesman said on Monday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson broke his holiday to speak to the Education Secretary, as calls for an overhaul of the algorithm used for students’ grades mount up.

The Government did not rule out the prospect of a Scottish-style U-turn, which would see grades based on teacher assessments rather than an algorithm.

Asked specifically if that was a possibility, the spokesman added: “We will continue to work hard to come up with the fairest system possible for pupils.”

Downing Street also insisted there would be no delay to the announcement of GCSE results despite the confusion over A-levels last week.

“We will not be delaying GCSE results,” they added.

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Number 10 also said Boris Johnson had confidence in Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Ofqual chief Sally Collier.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was among those calling for change on Monday.

He said: “The buck stops with Boris Johnson. He must publicly state how he will end this chaos.”

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