A Level results u-turn: ‘This is the only sensible response’ - Foyle MLA

In a u-turn following widespread dismay over how the grades were a calculated, Education Minister Peter Weir confirmed that those students who were downgraded compared with what their teachers assessed them as capable of getting will now be marked up.

Mr. Weir said yesterday: “I have today instructed CCEA that all of their AS and A level qualifications will now be awarded the higher of the grade submitted by their centre or the grade calculated by CCEA. CCEA is working to release the revised results to candidates as quickly as possible. In the interim, students will be able to access details of their Centre Assessed Grade from their school or college.”

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has welcomed the decision to scrap the standardisation of the exam results.

The Foyle MLA said: “This is the right decision and was the only sensible response to the problems which were evident last week. Minister Weir should have taken the action earlier and on the merits of the arguments rather than waiting on the approach of Ministers in London.

“The delay in changing this process has served only to compound the stress and anxiety experienced by our students, their families and teachers.

“I’m pleased that through cross-party co-operation and pressure from the Education Committee that we now have a positive outcome.”

GCSE results to be issued this Thursday will also be based no teachers’ assessments, it was announced yesterday.