Pupils receive their teacher-predicted GCSE results

Pupils across Wales have received their GCSE results following a u-turn on the way grades are calculated.

Pupils were unable to sit their exams this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, so a ‘standardisation’ model was introduced to calculate the results.

However, there was a backlash after A-level results were released on August 13, with many pupils receiving lower grades than expected.

Welsh Government’s education minister, Kirsty Williams, later announced that the standardisation model would be ditched, with grades being determined by teachers’ predictions.

Across the border in England, a similar u-turn was also made by the UK Government, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also scrapping their calculation models in favour of teachers’ predictions.

Qualifications Wales has estimated that nearly 75% of grades have been awarded A* to C, with more than a quarter of grades awarded A* or A – an increase on last year’s figures.

Pupils across Caerphilly County Borough were emailed their grades on Thursday (August 20), with a small number going into their schools to receive their grades in person.

However, BTEC students across the UK, who were meant to receive their grades today, will now have to wait, with exam board Pearson announcing that it would be regrading BTECs following the changes to A-level and GCSE grading.

Meanwhile, education minister Ms Williams sent her “very best wishes” to pupils receiving their results.

She said: “Due to the many changes we’ve had to make this year in exceptional circumstances, you’ve had to make many sacrifices.

“It has been a year like no other, and today will feel a bit different.

“These results are a reflection and reward for your hard work, prior attainment in exams, and school assessment, so you should be very proud of what you have achieved.”

Hefin David, Senedd Member for Caerphilly, wished “all the very best” to those collecting their results and said: “The pressure on you this year has been incredible. This is a chance for you to take a step back and think about what you would like to do next.

“There is no wrong path and opportunities are ahead. Whatever you chose to do, I am here to help you when you need it.”

Islwyn’s Senedd Member, Rhianon Passmore, said she hopes pupils’ “hard work has paid off and been rewarded”.

She also thanked “every teacher working in Islwyn for the amazing work you do every year, but especially in these difficult times.”