LGA takes Ofqual to task in grade boundaries row

The Local Government Association has called on exams regulator Ofqual to take action to address the “manifestly unfair state of affairs” over GCSE grade boundaries, amid reports of councils considering legal action.

A letter was sent this week by Cllr David Simmonds, Chairman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, to Chief Regulator Glenys Stacey, expressing the Association’s strong concerns about this summer’s results.

Cllr Simmonds wrote: “We have received representations from member councils about the unfairness of some of the results and, as I am sure you are aware, a number of councils are considering legal action to challenge the fairness of the marking of GCSE English this summer.”

He added that concerns were felt “across the local government community” about:

• the inconsistency of the marking between exams in January and June;
• between the marking by different exam boards; and
• the effect that this inconsistency would have on the life chances of the young people affected.

Cllr Simmonds continued: “The key issue for us is that the examinations system is, and is seen to be, both fair and consistent. The clear view from our members is that the action of certain exam boards in changing the grade boundaries in English in-year means that the system has been neither.”

The letter also claimed that the option of early re-sits for affected students would not provide a solution for many, with young people potentially being denied places on apprenticeships or post-16 courses “as a result of this unjust situation”.

Cllr Simmonds said: “The Board agreed that the likelihood is that these results will increase the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training, a trend that we are all working to reverse. So we urge you to take action to address this manifestly unfair state of affairs.”

Leeds City Council is among the local authorities reported to be considering a challenge.

A spokeswoman for the LGA emphasised that the association had not launched a legal challenge, nor was it going to.

Last week Ofqual said a review had concluded that while the overall subject grades awarded were correct, it believed that assessments marked in January 2012 were “graded generously”.

It insisted that the standard set for GCSE English was comparable with the standard in previous years, the June grade boundaries were properly set and candidates work properly graded.

The issue was the January, not the June grade boundaries, Ofqual said.