Teachers have been praised for their accuracy in grading students, after the majority of A-level grades awarded today were similar to those submitted by schools to exam boards.
In total, 96.4 per cent of A-level grades in England were the same as - or within one grade of - teacher-assessed grades.
This year, after exams were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, grades were calculated based on a combination of teachers’ assessment of pupil performance, schools’ historic exam data and pupils’ prior attainment.
A-level results 2020:
All schools submitted a rank order of pupils for each grade and subject, as well as teacher-assessed grades for each pupil. However, teacher-assessed grading was only used as part of the calculation for subjects with 15 entries per school or fewer.
Yesterday, schools minister Nick Gibb said that two-in-five A-level grades submitted by teachers had changed following moderation, as reported over a month ago by Tes.
However, Philip Wright, director-general of the Joint Council for Qualifications, said the fact most A-level grades had either remained the same or changed by within one grade showed the “tremendous job” teachers had done in working to determine grades and a rank order for students.
Commenting on the high level of accuracy, he said: “That does show, I think, that the teachers have done a tremendous job in difficult circumstances. One thing we want on record is our thanks to those who worked diligently to get those centre-assessed grades in as well as the rank order.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 yesterday, Mr Gibb said: “The majority of students tomorrow will get the grade submitted by their teachers. Those 40 per cent that are adjusted will be by just one grade.”
