Posted on Thursday 26th May 2016
England's exams regulator is clamping down on the "unfair advantage" gained by some schools which seek high numbers of GCSE and A-level re-marks.
Ofqual is changing its system this summer, so that new marks can only be issued if a "marking error" is found.
Their research shows independent schools seek twice as many GCSE reviews as comprehensive schools request.
But Chris King, chairman of the independent schools body the HMC, said the system would be less fair.
Most reviews led to slightly higher marks, Ofqual said, penalising pupils from schools which did not ask for re-marks.
It said the change would mean a "level playing field".
Independent schools sought reviews for one in eight A-level grades, more than twice the proportion of state-funded colleges, it added.
Exam boards charge fees of between £20 and £60 per paper to be re-marked, but refund the fee if the grade changes. These costs are borne by the school.
Overall more than 90,000 A-level and GCSE results were changed on appeal in 2015 - an increase of 17% in one year and the highest on record.
Julie Swan, Ofqual's executive director for general qualifications, said it was clear from its analysis that the current system could be fairer.
"It is not fair to allow some students to have a second bite of the cherry by giving them a higher mark on review, when the first mark was appropriate," she said.
"This undermines the hard work and professionalism of markers, most of whom are teachers themselves.
"These changes will mean a level playing field for all students and help to improve public confidence in the marking system.
"We want schools to be able to ask for a review if an error has been made. Nothing we are doing will make it any more difficult for a marking error to be corrected."
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
09/01/25Send is the 'biggest issue' for schools - Ofsted
Special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is the "biggest issue" affecting schools in England, Ofsted's chief inspector has said. Sir Martyn Oliver told the education committee that the Send system's high costs and poor outcomes represented a "lose-lose situation". Government figures for the 2023/24 academic year showed more than 1.6 million children had Send, an increase of 101,000 from 2023.
08/01/25Pupil behaviour 'getting worse' at schools in England, say teachers
Nearly one in five teachers in England has been hit by a pupil this year, a survey commissioned by the BBC says. One teacher told BBC News behaviour was a "never-ending battle". Another said spitting, swearing and chair-throwing were among the things happening often.
07/01/25A plan for better special needs assessment
John Wright highlights three improvements that parents and professionals should fight for with regard to the process for obtaining EHCPs for children
18/12/24Worry for staff and children as London council moves ahead with plans to close Kent special school
Staff at a residential special school in Kent, which is run by a London council, have voiced worries about plans to close the facility down. Wandsworth Council is moving forward with plans to shut down Bradstow School in Broadstairs due to escalating financial pressures.
17/12/24Schools given £740m to adapt buildings for Send pupils
The government has announced £740m of funding to increase the number of places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in mainstream schools in England. ??The money, part of the £6.7bn of education spending announced in the Budget, will be targeted towards adapting school buildings to make them more accessible.
News Archive