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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Private school heads condemn exam marking | Private school heads condemn exam marking |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The heads of leading independent schools say the exam-marking system for GCSEs and A-levels is "not fit for purpose". | The heads of leading independent schools say the exam-marking system for GCSEs and A-levels is "not fit for purpose". |
| Chairman Chris King will tell the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference "urgent reform" is needed to improve the reliability of exam grades. | Chairman Chris King will tell the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference "urgent reform" is needed to improve the reliability of exam grades. |
| Last year more than 400,000 exam papers were challenged, with more than 77,000 grades being changed. | Last year more than 400,000 exam papers were challenged, with more than 77,000 grades being changed. |
| The joint exam boards body says markers are doing a "fantastic job". | The joint exam boards body says markers are doing a "fantastic job". |
| But Mr King says: "The current situation is untenable. | But Mr King says: "The current situation is untenable. |
| "We are facing a perfect storm, of both decreasing public confidence and increasing pressure in the system, as the greater emphasis on end-of-year exams creates even more work for examiners over the summer," he will tell the HMC's annual conference at St Andrews in Fife. | "We are facing a perfect storm, of both decreasing public confidence and increasing pressure in the system, as the greater emphasis on end-of-year exams creates even more work for examiners over the summer," he will tell the HMC's annual conference at St Andrews in Fife. |
| 'Unbelievable' | 'Unbelievable' |
| Mr King, head teacher of Leicester Grammar School, says marking remains a "cottage industry" that is unable to cope with the scale and stresses of the modern exam system. | Mr King, head teacher of Leicester Grammar School, says marking remains a "cottage industry" that is unable to cope with the scale and stresses of the modern exam system. |
| Pupils can receive "frankly unbelievable marks or grades", he says, which can mean missing out on university places. | Pupils can receive "frankly unbelievable marks or grades", he says, which can mean missing out on university places. |
| And even if grades are improved on appeal, he says that it can be too late to take up university places, which will have already been allocated to someone else. | And even if grades are improved on appeal, he says that it can be too late to take up university places, which will have already been allocated to someone else. |
| The most recent figures, from 2014, show that inquiries about exam grades rose year-on-year by 48%, with a 42% increase in the number having their grades changed. | The most recent figures, from 2014, show that inquiries about exam grades rose year-on-year by 48%, with a 42% increase in the number having their grades changed. |
| Mr King will say that the numbers of grades being changed is "shocking" and he says that if 6% of examiners are rated as "inadequate" by regulators, that "vast numbers" of marks could be affected. | Mr King will say that the numbers of grades being changed is "shocking" and he says that if 6% of examiners are rated as "inadequate" by regulators, that "vast numbers" of marks could be affected. |
| But he says that there could be an even wider problem, as state schools might lack the funds to pursue challenges against a "byzantine" inquiry system. | But he says that there could be an even wider problem, as state schools might lack the funds to pursue challenges against a "byzantine" inquiry system. |
| The HMC says there needs to be more consistency across different subjects and exam boards and a bigger workforce of better-trained markers. | The HMC says there needs to be more consistency across different subjects and exam boards and a bigger workforce of better-trained markers. |
| The independent school heads also want a more transparent process for appeals. | The independent school heads also want a more transparent process for appeals. |
| 'Robust processes' | 'Robust processes' |
| But the Joint Council for Qualifications, representing exam boards, says the grades changed on appeal represent only 1% of entries. | But the Joint Council for Qualifications, representing exam boards, says the grades changed on appeal represent only 1% of entries. |
| "Our examination system relies upon the 50,000 teachers who each year mark over 15 million papers. They do a fantastic job and receive training from exam boards and ongoing monitoring to ensure high standards are maintained," said director general Michael Turner. | "Our examination system relies upon the 50,000 teachers who each year mark over 15 million papers. They do a fantastic job and receive training from exam boards and ongoing monitoring to ensure high standards are maintained," said director general Michael Turner. |
| "Where mistakes do happen, in what is a large and complex system, there are robust processes to correct them as soon as possible and often within days." | "Where mistakes do happen, in what is a large and complex system, there are robust processes to correct them as soon as possible and often within days." |
| A spokeswoman for the exam regulator Ofqual said that the quality of marking is "generally good". | A spokeswoman for the exam regulator Ofqual said that the quality of marking is "generally good". |
| "Nevertheless, there is room for improvement. We have already conducted substantial research in this area and we will soon be launching a consultation on proposed changes to the appeals system." | "Nevertheless, there is room for improvement. We have already conducted substantial research in this area and we will soon be launching a consultation on proposed changes to the appeals system." |
| A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "Parents, teachers and young people need to have confidence that the grades they receive are an accurate reflection of a pupil's performance. That's why we're pleased that the regulator is taking steps to improve the quality of marking." | A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "Parents, teachers and young people need to have confidence that the grades they receive are an accurate reflection of a pupil's performance. That's why we're pleased that the regulator is taking steps to improve the quality of marking." |