Leaders in York Get Involved in GCSE Exam Marking Row

A debate is being called for in York over the GCSE exam marking scandal.

It's reported that the grade boundaries were increased so fewer pupils could get a C in English

City council leader James Alexander has written to the secretary of State for Education calling for more to be done to rectify the situation.

He said it could stop some youngsters getting access to post 16 studies and could demoralise those who are at highest risk of dropping out of education.

City of York Council Statement and Letter:

Cllr James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council raised his concerns about the recent GCSE results.

In a letter written to Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, Cllr James Alexander, Labour leader of City of York Council, highlighted that while schools across York had maintained good results the effect of the grading changes particularly in English has led to that many young people not achieved their expected result. 

Cllr James Alexander says:

“The failure to gain a grade C or above in English can block access to post-16 study and many career paths, the importance of getting this right cannot be underestimated with regard to future prospects for young people. There is also a danger of demoralising those who are at the highest risk of dropping out of education.”

Cllr Alexander called for a reasoned, thoughtful debate about the purpose, rigour and long-term future of exams at 16, leading to a properly planned and implemented set of reforms with a workable timescale.  He stressed the need for exams to be fair to all saying:

“Young people are already facing an uncertain future and with employers demanding good qualifications issues like those experienced this summer with the GCSE results cause a loss of confidence in the exam system.”