Peterborough students’ anger as A level scores are downgraded

Scores of Peterborough youngsters have been left angry and frustrated after A Level scores were downgraded.

The Government may be announcing a change to policy later this afternoon after teenagers missed out on places at university.

Daisy German (18) from Whittlesey was hoping to go to Leeds University to study midwifery - but after one of her A level scores was down graded by three grades, it looks like she may miss out.

She had achieved an A* in biology and sociology and a B in psychology in her mocks, and had been given an assessment of A* in sociology and A in biology and psychology - however, when the Sir Harry Smith student opened her A Level results on Thursday, she found she had been awarded an A in sociology and psychology but only a D in biology.

Daisy said: “I had been downgraded by three grades. Given the work I had done I thought I had got a place at Leeds, but with a D I can’t go.

“I’m pretty sure I would have got in if I had got a C instead of a D.

“Everyone else in the class who I have spoken to has been downgraded two or three grades. One of my friends got downgraded from an A* to a B.

“The teacher said she was so disappointed because of all the hard work we have all put in over the past two years. The head of the sixth form said it might be due to some poor results a few years back.

“If I can’t get through an appeal I don’t think I will be able to get to go to university this year.

“The school is being really helpful with the appeal, but with the information changing so often, it has been difficult to know what is happening.
“I have wanted to be a midwife sine primary school. I am not sure what I will do if I can’t get in.”

“It is so frustrating to have something like this happen when it is not my fault.”

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Jessica Johnson, (18), from Eye, had attended Arthur Mellows Village College where she was studying A-Levels in History, English Language and Economics. With A’s predicted as her Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs), Jessica had received A,A,A in all of her mock exams. With her heart set on studying History at the University of Nottingham, Jessica went to pick up her results, in a time slot, given to allow for social distancing she was ‘disheartened’ to see her results, which were A in History, B in English Language and a B in Economics.

Jessica said: “I knew I had to get 3 A’s when I opened the letter my heart sank. I immediately thought I hadn’t got in as I hadn’t seen any confirmation of a place. Most people seemed glum. It was such a horrible feeling as you had to open your envelope in the school playground and you were looking around at mostly surprised and disappointed faces.

“You only had to walk out of the playground to the queue of everyone waiting to see about appeals, a stark contrast to GCSE results day. The happy tears I had in summer 2018 were nowhere to be seen, this year the tears were of sadness. I think that if anything I’ve come off lightly as I got into my university and that even though I was downgraded there are hundreds of students that have been hit even harder.”

Unable to lean on her parents for support, as usually they would also attend results day, parents were invited to send in letters for their children to read as they opened their results. Jessica’s letter read: “I hope when you’ve opened that envelope (at the time of writing I don’t know if I can be there), that you get the grades you wanted or had hoped for and that you can go and chase your dreams of university and that this is the start of something big for you!”

Disappointed with the way it has been handled, Jessica thinks that case by case appeals should be absolutely necessary with whole school appeals in place for the ‘worst hit areas’.

She said: “I feel like our teachers know us much better than an algorithm, a postcode and a look at how previous school years have done. I feel as though we have been blatantly lied to as it was reported we would receive our CAG grades. I believe something must be done and fast. If they were to do Scotland’s overturn then despite the possible rise in the top grades which has already happened anyway at least it will positively benefit students who have so far potentially missed out on their futures.”

In a similar position, student Darrius Pearson, (19), from Werrington who is currently a Year 1, BTEC Level Three Journalism student at Peterborough Regional College has been downgraded in a major module that could affect his final grading next year.

Having been a consistent student gaining Distinctions and Merits,the equivalent to A’s and B’s at A-Levels, Darrius was awarded a Pass, equivalent to a C, a grade he has never received.

Darrius said: “I was gutted to be honest, I can’t believe someone genuinely sat there and said I don’t deserve anything higher than a pass after my performance this whole academic year. A few others on my course got what they expected but another classmate failed completely which I find absurd. This grading could significantly impact my final grade which I won’t know until next year.”

Having already lodged an appeal with his college, Darrius is awaiting a response which will take around 42 days. Darrius who has Autism isn’t planning on going to university now.

He said: “I’m not considering university, as I’m not particularly confident in my abilities as it presents far too many challenges for someone like myself. I’d like to apply to a BBC scheme for those with disabilities. I believe the grades should be overturned, without exams - the only people qualified to grade us are teachers.”

Cllr Shaz Nawaz, leader of the Labour Party on Peterborough City Council said: “The government had the best part of five months since lockdown to address the issue of grades. They failed to come up with a sensible solution.

“Gavin Williamson previously stated that the Conservatives would “drive up opportunity for every child in the country”. Furthermore, Boris Johnson said “every kid should get a superb education” and that he would “take personal responsibility. The buck stops here”. Yet, he is nowhere to be seen. All talk and no action.

“They made grand promises and have shattered dreams and futures of so many teenagers up and down the country. I have been contacted by parents and children who are understandably distraught. The government needs to either award revised grades in line with mock results or teacher assessments.

“It really isn’t that difficult. They’re making a mountain out of a molehill. We cannot, and must not, play with the lives and career prospects of future generations. The government should be ashamed of the way they have handled this situation.”