Students across Cumbria are receiving their GCSE results today – but some youngsters expecting BTecs today will not be seeing their results.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and exams being cancelled, the results youngsters are receiving will either reflect the grade predicted by their school or the grade generated through the national moderation process – whichever is higher.
It follows the U-turn made after last week’s A-level results, which were initially based on an algorithm, which was found to be flawed.
Last night, exam board Pearson announced it would regrade BTecs in line with GCSEs and A-levels.
Pearson’s decision affects about 500,000 pupils, 250,000 of whom received their A-level equivalent qualifications last week.
The rest were due to collect their grades along with GCSE candidates this week.
Pearson said their results “had been generally consistent with teacher and learner expectations, but we have become concerned about unfairness in relation to what are now significantly higher outcomes for GCSE and A-levels”.
Cumbria County Council said the unique nature of the grading approach in 2020 meant meaningful comparisons with previous years’ county level data cannot be made.
Councillor Sue Sanderson, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for schools and learning, said: “Results day is always a day of excitement and high emotion, I think this year especially so given the uncertainty that pupils have had to deal with. It has been a really difficult year and I want to congratulate all our students today both for their hard work and their resilience, I hope you received the grades you wanted.
“I also want to thank our schools, teachers and parents who have done so much to support our young people. I know your skill, passion and care makes a huge difference.
“I hope today we can all focus on the future and the next steps that young people take after these results. I know all schools are making extra effort to have those conversations and ensure all young people have a clear path forward – whether continuing at school or moving into further education, training or work. I wish them all the best of luck.”
Judith Schafer, executive headteacher at Solway and Beacon Hill Community Schools and chair of the Cumbria Association of Secondary Headteachers, said: “Headteachers and their staff across the county are working tirelessly to make sure that students receiving their GCSE results today can be confident in and proud of their achievements.
“The combination of centre assessed grades together with moderated grades if higher is the best possible outcome for students, and we believe represents an honest reflection of what they would have achieved had the exams taken place.
“Every results day sees a mixture of elation and disappointment, but after the chaos of the last week, today will be a positive one for students, as well as an opportunity to recognise the huge amount of diligence and professionalism staff put in to determining results.
“GCSEs are the key to students’ next steps and making sure destinations are secure whether in education or employment is our priority today.”