Teachers to determine pupils’ grades after coronavirus disruption

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Teachers will determine GCSE, AS-level and A-level grades for pupils in Wales this year, Wales’ Education Minister has confirmed.

The grades will be based on work pupils have completed during their course.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams made the announcement following recommendations made by the Design and Delivery Advisory Group – which was set up by Ms Williams last month.

The group is made up of headteachers and college leaders.

Originally, pupils were to be graded on in-class assessments, but disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen schools operating remotely in recent weeks, has forced the change.

Speaking in a video, which has been published on Twitter, Ms Williams said: “The worsening situation with the pandemic has meant we have no choice but to revisit our approach to ensure wellbeing and public confidence in our qualifications system.

“The proposals we are announcing today puts trust in teachers’ and lecturers’ knowledge of their learners’ work, as well as their commitment to prioritise teaching and learning in the time available to support learners’ progression.   

“Teaching the core content and aspects of each course remains my absolute priority for learners in exam years, so they are supported to progress with certainty into their next steps, with confidence in their grades.”

She added: “We are working with higher education institutions to look at how we can support learners through this transition, and can provide a bridge into university courses.”

Shadow Education Minister Suzy Davies, of the Welsh Conservatives, said the move was a “solid attempt to preserve consistency and quality of not just testing, but also assessing”.

But Ms Davies added: “It’s also an acknowledgement that online learning hasn’t been cutting the mustard.”

Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Education, Siân Gwenllian MS, said: “While the decision is the right one, it is tinged with deep disappointment that this wasn’t taken a lot sooner.”