Kirklees Council has praised A-Level and GCSE students in the district who received their results over the last week following a year of “uncertainty”.
Pupils across Kirklees and the UK could not sit their exams this year as school’s closed in March due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
A-Level students received their results on Thursday, August 13 and GCSE students on Thursday, August 20.
There was an initial concern for GCSE pupils after A-Level students received altered grades as the result of an algorithm applied by exam governing body Ofqual.
This led to 40% of A-Level pupils across the country receiving downgraded results. But Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, later reversed this decision and pupil’s grades, awarded by teacher assessments, were re-instated.
The algorithm was not then applied for GCSE pupil’s results and 78.8 per cent of students achieved grade 4 or above based on teacher assessments across the country.
Amidst the uncertainty from pupils about both COVID-19 and their results, Cllr Carole Pattison, Kirklees Cabinet member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, has praised pupils, schools and colleges in Kirklees for their achievements in “totally unprecedented” circumstances.
Following the release of GCSE results on Thursday, Carole Pattinson said: “We are proud of our young people and we want to say a massive ‘well done’. The last few months have been totally unprecedented for schools, colleges, students and their families. It has been a hugely worrying time for all concerned.
“The ever-changing picture of how grades would be awarded, which has only just been settled by the central government, made a difficult situation even worse. This caused uncertainty and distress because it was always critical that our students got the results they deserved.
“Exams are normally the natural conclusion to years of hard work, not just from young people themselves but from their teachers and support staff, their friends and relatives. Having exams cancelled due to Covid-19 was very difficult, but we’re pleased that the expertise of Kirklees schools and colleges has been used to determine this year’s results.
“Students need the grades they are entitled to, in the fairest possible way, so that they can pursue the next step in their lives.”
Cllr Viv Kendrick, Cabinet Member for Children, also said: “We know there have been many excellent outcomes for young people and I want to thank schools and colleges throughout Kirklees. They have done superb work before and during the pandemic so that thousands of young people are equipped to fulfil their potential.
“Whatever the circumstances, we aim high for our young people. We support them to aspire and achieve and we look forward to seeing them flourish, both now and in the future.”
