The A-level results are an absolute scandal. Today thousands of young people have been left heartbroken after seeing their results downgraded causing many to miss out on their university of choice. This government has completely ignored the professional judgement of teachers and has instead used an algorithm that on the surface may seem fair – the national figures are largely in line with previous years – but, when you dig a little, is clearly an attack on working class students that serves to reinforce educational disadvantage.
For example:
- Private schools have seen a jump of almost 5% in the number of A and A* grades. This is more than double the increase seen in the state sector.
- The results seem to be a postcode lottery, with the area you live in or the school you attend holding more weight than your academic ability or your teacher’s judgement.
- The approach taken will mean that, in general, high performing students in “underperforming” schools will receive much lower results than they should.
- The algorithm seems to disadvantage both large colleges and institutions that have a particularly good ‘value-added’ (meaning their students often outperform expectations). These organisations will be disproportionately attended by working class students.
- Eton and Harrow are largely unaffected by the downgrading of results.
- The data shows that the attainment gap – between pupils on free school meals and those who are not – widened considerably, as did the gap between those with special educational needs and disabilities and those without.
- Pupils from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were most likely to have their grades overruled, while those in wealthier areas were less likely to be downgraded.
Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, had the cheek to say “there is a danger that pupils will be over promoted into jobs beyond their competence”. Ironic coming from him. But what he really means is that he wants working class students to know their place and leave the high paid jobs to the 7% of privately educated people that already dominate both the public and private sector leadership.
Teachers and students alike will also be very worried about the GCSE results due out next week. Young people have suffered enough. Give students the grades their teachers decided and let them move on to the next stages of their lives without these ridiculous and unfair judgements weighing them down.
Working class students must not be funnelled away from top universities. All applicants must receive a high quality, fully-funded university place.
An education system that disadvantages working class students is nothing new. In addition to reverting back to teacher assessed grades, as has happened in Scotland, we also need to see a scrapping of tuition fees and student debt, fully funded university places with adequate grants to cover living costs and a tax on the super-rich to fund decent jobs and training opportunities for all those leaving school.
James Ellis
Angry about the results? Join Young Socialists protesting around the country – including a protest outside Downing Street on Saturday at midday. See: https://www.facebook.com/youngsocialistsYS/
