A MAJOR change in the way A-levels are graded has been announced this evening by the Welsh Government.

As A-level students prepare to get their grades tomorrow morning Education Minister Kirsty Williams has tonight announced that no learner will receive an A-level grade less than the AS grades already awarded to them.

In a statement, Ms Williams said: “I am confident that the system overseen by Qualifications Wales (QW) and WJEC, in response to the current emergency, is fair for students and robust in what it measures and signals to employers and universities.

“However, governments in other parts of the United Kingdom have introduced changes to their systems and we must make sure that these alterations do not disadvantage Welsh students.

“Students in Wales, and prospective employers and universities across the UK, can be assured that their A-level grades reflect their work and externally assessed exams.

“Almost half the final grade comes from AS Level exams – this is not the situation elsewhere.

“Therefore in building on that completed work, I am giving a guarantee that a learner’s final A Level grade cannot be lower than their AS grade.

“If a student receives a final grade tomorrow that is below that of their previous AS grade, then a revised grade will be issued automatically by WJEC. 

“This will mean – and I have received assurances from UCAS and universities – that students can speak with confidence to their prospective universities regarding their A-level grades.

“OFQUAL are yet to publish the details of the new appeals process following the English Government’s announcement. 

“I have asked Qualifications Wales, working with the WJEC, to work closely with the qualifications bodies of the other UK nations as they develop their plans. 

“I will be asking Qualifications Wales to move forward quickly on relevant adjustments to a Welsh appeals process as soon as these plans are clearer, in order to ensure Welsh students are not disadvantaged. 

“I am confirming today that all appeals will be free for Welsh students, to ensure there is no financial barrier to ensure learners feel their exam grades are fair.”

Responding to the announcement, Plaid Cymru Shadow Education Minister Sian Gwenllian MS said: “This eleventh hour U-turn by the minister is an admission that the system was flawed from the off.

 

“The Welsh Government will be marked down severely for leaving teachers and pupils in limbo - and their hard work, initially, unrewarded.

 

“It is welcome that the minister has listened to calls for a free and independent appeals process.

 

“This will give some comfort to those pupils who have been let down in what was already a time of unprecedented anxiety.”

 

Conservative Shadow Minister for Education, Suzy Davies MS, said: “What has been absolutely crucial is to ensure there is a fair system for grading our young people on their A-level results.

“It was vital to see a safety net being implemented in Wales to make sure pupils achieved the grade they had worked towards.

“So tomorrow, I am pleased that pupils’ final grades are guaranteed to not be lower than their previous grade at AS level.”