A-level and GCSE exam results in England will be determined by teacher assessment

Students will receive grades awarded and determined by teachers, with pupils only assessed on what they have been taught, the Education Secretary announced today. Schools can determine grades this summer by using a combination of mock exams, coursework and essays.

There will also be optional assessments set by exam boards for all subjects, but they won’t be subject to exam conditions nor decide final grades.

Subsequently, results day has been pushed back to August to allow time for students to appeal if they believe them to be unfair.

A-level students will get their results on 10th August, while the GCSE pupils get their grades 2-days-later on the 12th.

Pupils will be able to appeal their grades at no extra cost and have the option to sit exams in Autumn as well. Grades will have to be submitted to exam boards by 18th June, with quality assurance checks then taking place.

Teachers will also be given guidance on how to make these judgements before the Easter holidays.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says: “We are providing the fairest possible system for those pupils, asking those who know them best – their teachers – to determine their grades, with our sole aim to make sure all young people can progress to the next stage of their education or career.”

Simon Lebus of Ofqual, the exams watchdog said: I am confident that these arrangements will allow all parts of the education and training sector to work together collectively to make sure students’ grades reflect what they have achieved and provide a sound basis to enable them to make good decisions about their future.”