Exam U-Turn Social: Dr Amir Khan and Imran Hussain MP have say

Tens of thousands of A-level students in England are set to see their grades increased after a humiliating U-turn by the Government.

Following criticism from students, headteachers and a backlash by Tory MPs, grades will now be based on teachers' assessments rather than the controversial algorithm devised by regulator Ofqual.

The change will also apply to GCSE results in England, which are due to be released on Thursday.

Students who were awarded a higher grade by the moderation process will be allowed to keep it, but for many pupils, their teachers' predictions could see their grades increased.

Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor apologised for the "uncertainty and anxiety" caused by the fiasco.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who is also a University of Bradford alumni, has apologised to students and parents affected by “significant inconsistencies” with the grading process.

Mr Williamson said in a statement: “This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for young people who were unable to take their exams.

“We worked with Ofqual to construct the fairest possible model, but it is clear that the process of allocating grades has resulted in more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process.”

He added: “We now believe it is better to offer young people and parents certainty by moving to teacher assessed grades for both A and AS level and GCSE results.

“I am sorry for the distress this has caused young people and their parents but hope this announcement will now provide the certainty and reassurance they deserve.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “The Government has had months to sort out exams and has now been forced into a screeching U-turn after days of confusion.

“This is a victory for the thousands of young people who have powerfully made their voices heard this past week.

“However, the Tories’ handling of this situation has been a complete fiasco.  

“Incompetence has become this Government’s watchword, whether that is on schools, testing or care homes.

“Boris Johnson’s failure to lead is holding Britain back.”

Richard Osman, co-presenter of TV quiz show Pointless, surely wins the prize for funniest tweet on this subject:

This government U turn was originally a B turn.

— Richard Osman (@richardosman) August 17, 2020

Here are some of the tweets from Bradford including councillors Ralph Berry and Richard Dunbar, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and Dr Amir Khan:

After days of unnecessary stress, anxiety and heartbreak for our students, Finally some sense. All it took was a public outcry. pic.twitter.com/562efBRBgf

— Dr Amir Khan GP (@DrAmirKhanGP) August 17, 2020

The A-level results fiasco should have left Ministers in no doubt that they needed to revert to teacher predictions.

Instead they left students dangling in distress over the weekend, and whilst this u-turn is welcome, there is no excuse for their delay.https://t.co/D9ap3U8KB8

— Imran Hussain MP (@Imran_HussainMP) August 17, 2020

That it took such an outcry to get to the obvious place on exams is evidence of a government lacking in values, basic competence, or understanding of the country that elected it. It has also laid to rest any notion that ‘levelling up’ was anything more than an oven-ready slogan

— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) August 17, 2020

Well done to all students, parents and teachers who have campaigned for this u-turn. I am so pleased GCSE & A level results will be on basis of teacher assessment as you and @UKLabour called for. You deserve it! >Statement from Roger Taylor, Chair, Ofqual https://t.co/zOgsVuHv4Q

— Kate Green (@KateGreenSU) August 17, 2020

I know students whose lives have been shattered by the sloth, contempt and incompetence of the absent Education Secretary.
His name will linger on as a figure of contempt and derision .#examfiasco

— Ralph Berry is still rather Distanced🌹🚃 (@CllrRalphBerry) August 17, 2020

Congratulations to all the young people like @mattycatex who have forced this #ALevelsResults #UTurn

The distress and pain caused to young people was entirely avaoidable and was clearly down to Government incompetence

— Richard Dunbar (@rdunbar83) August 17, 2020