Exam results now 'better match' what students deserve, says Alnwick head teacher

An overview shows 25 per cent of grades at Grades 7 to 9, while some 230 grades were 8 or 9 (equivalent to the old A*).

Headteacher Maurice Hall said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of the grades the students’ achievements.

"We now have a set of grades that better match what our students deserve at both GCSE and A level,” he said.

"Nothing can replace, exactly like for like, a set of final exams but the system now has a personalised structure to it that wasn’t there before.”

It comes after the government scrapped its standardisation of grades based on Ofqual’s algorithm in favour of predominantly teacher assessed grades.

“This year group, 246 of them, had a similar Key Stage Two profile to the national average,” said Mr Hall.

“Although we are still waiting for a small number of results the present overview shows 25 per cent of our grades at Grades 7 to 9, and over 80 per cent at Grades 4 to 9.

"Approximately 230 grades were graded 8 or 9 with three of our students achieving nine or more Grade 9s.

"We are genuinely proud of the progress that every student has made during their time with us and look forward to seeing many of them back with us in our Sixth Form. For those not coming back we wish them all the luck in the world.”

He also revealed that 120 A level results have been upgraded following the decision to re-issue grades.

"For a number of our students this has meant the ability to go back to their first choice university and course,” said Mr Hall. “Fingers crossed for all of them.

"It has also seen our results increase to 15 per cent of our cohort receiving 3 or more A/A*’s and 25 per cent receiving 2 or more A/A*’s, with many others seeing improvements.

“It is up to all of us to value our students and their results at this unique time. In comparison to previous years they certainly need extra support to feel special.”

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