QUEEN Mary’s College in Basingstoke is still waiting to find out what its overall results are for A Levels following a government U-turn.
The government announced its decision to change some grades following an uproar which saw hundreds of students take to the streets in protest.
Around 40 per cent of students received grades lower than those assessed by their teachers, after exams regulator Ofqual used a formula based on schools’ previous grades.
Those students who were given lower results than their teacher assessment will now instead receive their Centre Assessed Grades.
Those who received a higher result from the exam board will keep the higher grade.
Queen Mary’s College (QMC) principal Ali Foss, said it had not yet received all the results, so she is unable to provide any figures.
On results day, the college announced that it had a 99 per cent pass rate, and 80 per cent A* to C grades. Therefore, its new results will be an increase on this.
QMC student Oliva Styles, whose results were downgraded by the algorithm, said it had been a stressful few days waiting to see if the government would change its mind.
The 18-year-old from Hatch Warren set fire to her results at a protest in London at the weekend.
She said: “I think definitely for me and my friends it’s so great to see that our hard work is finally being reflected in our grades and they are reflecting our work rather than a government algorithm.”
The teenager already had an unconditional offer for a place at The University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, but added: “I can only imagine how stressful and anxiety inducing it has been for those who didn’t have their university place.”
Ali Foss previously labelled the system as “unfair” after some students at her college in Cliddesden Road received results two grades lower than their teacher assessment.
Speaking in a television interview, she said at the time: “Some of our students who perhaps had the most difficult of starts, so they came with relatively low prior achievements, they seem to be penalised the most.”
She added: “You can see how the algorithm has done that but it’s not fair.”
The principal told the Gazette that the issuing of Centre Assessed Grades was “great news for the majority of our students”.
However, she said the college was still waiting for confirmation regarding several courses, including BTECs, Cambridge Technicals and criminology.
“Once we have these, we will have a more complete picture,” she said, adding: “In the meantime we are focusing on working with all students who have requested support. As yet we do not yet have clarity about the numbers who have now managed to secure their first choice of university, and our careers team are providing help and guidance as it is requested.”
Education secretary Gavin Williamson apologised for the “distress” caused over the shambles.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here