In over 30 years as a teacher and school leader, I’ve had the privilege of seeing thousands of young people gain qualifications. They were proud of their achievements, as were all of us who had supported them to get to this point.
This weekend, across the country, once again hundreds of thousands of students, and their parents and teachers, await this year’s exam results.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all those in schools and colleges - teachers, leaders, exams officers and many others - who have made this possible. I know the diligence, care and determination it takes to get to this point.
This August, Ofqual expects GCSE and A-level results nationally to be broadly consistent with last year’s. The quality of work required to gain any particular grade will be in line with that in 2023.
Of course, results for individual subjects will inevitably fluctuate a little from year to year. This is normal and reflects changes in the performance of the cohort. Grade boundaries also typically vary between years to reflect differences in the difficulty of the assessments.
Resilience matters
For the second year, the English exam system is back to normal. Normal, reliable, consistent - these are not words that often make the news, but when it comes to qualifications, they are what matters most.
A stable, resilient, reliable qualifications and examinations system is one that everyone can trust, and where there is the greatest opportunity for excellence in pedagogy and attainment.
Students can be assured that once they have their grade, it will hold its value for years to come. It is a universal currency that opens doors wherever they go and whatever they do.
To secure maximum opportunity for those students, it’s important to have the right range of qualifications on offer. This year, we expect more than 800,000 certificates in vocational and technical subjects will be awarded alongside GCSEs and A-levels.
Recognised and trustworthy qualifications help break down barriers to opportunity. Whatever students’ school or background, the rules are the same for everyone. Everyone takes their exams at the same time.
Scripts are marked anonymously by expert examiners. Everyone is measured against the same standard. If a student has enough marks for the grade, they get that grade, without exception.
A powerful measure
That consistency for all, regardless of social context or background, means qualifications are a powerful measure of our education system.
They hold a mirror up to differences in attainment, wherever they may exist and whatever factors may have caused them.
Revealing these differences gives leaders and policymakers the evidence they need to help them act, directing resources and expertise to address inequalities that still leave too many behind.
Whatever qualifications students take - academic, vocational, or technical - they deserve to be confident in them. Confident that their qualifications are well designed, that the results will be fair and that they will open up next steps in education and employment.
As stewards of that system, we at Ofqual will continue working hard to maintain their confidence, and yours, too.
I would like to send my best wishes to all students as they receive their results in the coming days, and my thanks to all those who have played a part in their achievements.
Sir Ian Bauckham is chief regulator at Ofqual
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