Celebrations mixed with disappointment as some Alnwick students have A Level results downgraded

A number of A Level students at Duchess’s Community High School in Alnwick have had their results downgraded from those initially submitted.
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Head teacher Maurice Hall has expressed disappointment at the decision and says the school is now trying to establish what can be done in terms of appeal.

He explained: “As a school, we submitted our Centre Assessed Grades in early June; based on a variety of evidence and professional judgements by our experienced teachers.

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"These grades were then standardised at a national level by the exam boards and Ofqual and final grades have now been awarded.

The Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick. The Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick.
The Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick.

"Schools have not been part of this standardisation process, so any differences between our Centre Assessed Grades and final grades will be as a consequence of the national moderation processes and therefore out of our control.

“With part of the process unknown and out of our hands we hoped that everyone would receive the grades they deserved on results day this year.

"We are disappointed that a number of our students have seen their results downgraded from our initially submitted grades and we are currently in the process of establishing what can be done in terms of appeals.

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"This is now made more complex by the recent announcements about the possible use of Mock Exam results and the so called Triple Lock System announced by the Department of Education.”

Maurice Hall, head teacher at Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick.Maurice Hall, head teacher at Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick.
Maurice Hall, head teacher at Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick.

He added: “It has been a unique and extremely anxious few months for our students being ‘examined’ in a very different way to the past and against a backdrop of real uncertainty and worry that has now escalated further over the last few days."

However, he said that initial analysis of students’ final standardised grades show that there is still much to celebrate both at a cohort and individual level.

"With 99 students in our present Year 13 we have 10% of the cohort achieving at least three A grades or their equivalent and nearly 20% achieving at least two A grades or their equivalent,” he revealed.

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"Many others have achieved what they need to go on to the next stage of their lives.

“I hope, with the release of these results, we can prioritise all of our young people, who have suffered significantly at this time, helping them to value themselves and the work they have put in. Making sure they have access to good future pathways, whether they be higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

“Finally I would like to thank all my colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication in supporting our students through this incredibly challenging time.

“A special thank you to Denise Drummond who is now stepping down as Head of Sixth Form after a number of years. She has been a significant figure in many of our young people’s lives.

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"We have a very positive reputation for providing support, breadth of experience and impressive outcomes for our Sixth Form. This cohort’s time with us has been cut short and this has generated immense sadness amongst my colleagues.”

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