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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Leeds calls for legal action over GCSE exam grades controversy | Leeds calls for legal action over GCSE exam grades controversy |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The city council in Leeds is keen to press ahead with legal action after exam regulator Ofqual insisted that controversial GCSE English test papers would not be re-graded. | The city council in Leeds is keen to press ahead with legal action after exam regulator Ofqual insisted that controversial GCSE English test papers would not be re-graded. |
| The watchdog admitted that grade boundaries set in January were too 'generous"'– resulting in a sudden raising of pass marks for June papers and has stood by the new grading system. | The watchdog admitted that grade boundaries set in January were too 'generous"'– resulting in a sudden raising of pass marks for June papers and has stood by the new grading system. |
| Pupils marked down following the change will be given the opportunity to re-sit papers in November as part of a special concession. | Pupils marked down following the change will be given the opportunity to re-sit papers in November as part of a special concession. |
| Senior education staff in Leeds say that the future of at least 400 young people in the city has been affected by the award of D grades when the same work would have received a C had it been assessed in January rather than June. | Senior education staff in Leeds say that the future of at least 400 young people in the city has been affected by the award of D grades when the same work would have received a C had it been assessed in January rather than June. |
| Coun Judith Blake, Leeds council executive board member responsible for children's services, spoke of her anger and frustration. In a statement she said: | Coun Judith Blake, Leeds council executive board member responsible for children's services, spoke of her anger and frustration. In a statement she said: |
| I am outraged that Ofqual have somehow reached the conclusion not to take adequate action to remedy this travesty. There are at least 400 young people in Leeds whose futures have been left hanging in the balance because of the unfair grading by some examination boards. | I am outraged that Ofqual have somehow reached the conclusion not to take adequate action to remedy this travesty. There are at least 400 young people in Leeds whose futures have been left hanging in the balance because of the unfair grading by some examination boards. |
| The option to offer a re-sit is absolutely unacceptable and totally misses the point. This is not an issue of standards it's an issue of fairness in relation to work students have already completed. | The option to offer a re-sit is absolutely unacceptable and totally misses the point. This is not an issue of standards it's an issue of fairness in relation to work students have already completed. |
| I am shocked Ofqual have suggested the grading in June was 'fair' – this does not help the thousands of young people who are now left without college places or apprenticeships through no fault of their own. | I am shocked Ofqual have suggested the grading in June was 'fair' – this does not help the thousands of young people who are now left without college places or apprenticeships through no fault of their own. |
| We feel there is compelling evidence to formally pursue a judicial review against Ofqual and the examination boards responsible. | We feel there is compelling evidence to formally pursue a judicial review against Ofqual and the examination boards responsible. |
| We will contact the authorities and schools who have already approached us regarding joining forces on any legal action to ensure we get justice for the young people who have been so unfairly treated. | We will contact the authorities and schools who have already approached us regarding joining forces on any legal action to ensure we get justice for the young people who have been so unfairly treated. |
Blake urged college leaders and Further Education providers to be sympathetic to the young people who are affected by this to ensure they are not penalised for what she claimed was 'the examination board's mistake and Ofqual's lack of action'. | Blake urged college leaders and Further Education providers to be sympathetic to the young people who are affected by this to ensure they are not penalised for what she claimed was 'the examination board's mistake and Ofqual's lack of action'. |
| Ofqual has said that examiners had acted properly, and set the boundaries using their best professional judgement. A spokeswoman added that the June boundaries were properly set and candidates' work properly graded. | Ofqual has said that examiners had acted properly, and set the boundaries using their best professional judgement. A spokeswoman added that the June boundaries were properly set and candidates' work properly graded. |
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