The Government must talk to employers about changes to grading standards following the pandemic to ensure students are not “disadvantaged” in job applications, a headteachers’ union leader has urged.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said the return to pre-Covid grading levels in England will feel like a “bitter pill” for many students receiving their A-level and vocational and technical qualification (VTQ) results as they faced pandemic disruption.
Mr Barton added that students in disadvantaged circumstances were “adversely affected” during the pandemic years and he called for “everything possible” to be done to support these young people.
Tens of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to find out their A-level and VTQ exam results on Thursday.
In England, Ofqual has said this year’s national A-level results will be lower than last year but they are expected to be similar to those in 2019 – the year before the pandemic.
Schools minister Nick Gibb has said exam results need to return to pre-pandemic levels this year to ensure the qualifications carry “weight and credibility” with employers, universities and colleges.
