TOMORROW is GCSE results day in the UK with thousands of young people and teachers eagerly awaiting the grades.
For the second year in a row, exams have been cancelled and grades have been determined by teachers due to coronavirus. Here we explain what it all means.
After the debacle of 2020 where the first set of algorithm-generated grades were quickly overturned following complaints of unfairness, 2021's results are all about restoring confidence in the way work was marked.
Traditional A*-G grades have been scrapped and replaced with a 9-1 system amid reforms, with 9 the highest result.
A 4 is broadly equivalent to a C grade, and a 7 broadly equivalent to an A.
Read our GCSE Results Day 2021 live blog for the latest updates...
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk 15 minutes ago
HOW LONG DOES A REMARK TAKE?
Because of the unusual nature of this year's results process, it is unclear how long an appeal will take.
Usually a remark happens with 10 days of the appeal being lodged, but with another year of no papers to actually go over, it's hard to predict.
Ofqual are also not sure how many appeals will be lodged, so it is likely the speed will depend on the amount of students who appeal.
But this year has already seen a record number of students receiving A Level grades of A and A,* so the appeals line could well be quieter.
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk 31 minutes ago
CAN I APPEAL MY RESULTS?
First things first, it is wise talk to your school or college to see if they agree with lodging an appeal.
While in a normal year this would result in your paper being rechecked, this year is again very different as students did not sit exams because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead teacher's predicted grades will be your results, and if you disagree with what you have been given, you can appeal to Ofqual through your school.
But students can only appeal a GCSE result if they have a valid mock grade higher than their awarded grade.
The deadline to appeal will likely be dependent on your school, so make sure to liaise with them if you're unsure.
Once again, all appeals will be free of charge.
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk 46 minutes ago
GCSE RESULTS 2021: WHERE TO GET FREE FOOD INCLUDING FRANKIE AND BENNY’S AND NANDO’S
There's plenty of great deals out there – if you know where to look. Here's what we've found.
Nando's Results Day Dash is back for another year and there’s a free ？ Chicken or Starter on offer to any students picking up results.
Nando’s postponed its annual summer results day celebrations last year, but this year you'll be able to celebrate on the day.
Italian eatery Bella Italia is offering free dessert to A-Level and GCSE students through until Friday August 13.
Just show proof of your results to claim a dessert like the ￡6.25 Cookie Dough Al Forno or the ￡5.45 Tiramisu.
If you visit your local Frankie and Benny's today you'll be able to claim a free pizza.
Show a valid student ID and your exam results to a member of staff to grab the freebie.
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk Today, 18:00
HOW DO THE NUMERICAL GRADES WORK?
Traditional A*-G grades have been scrapped and replaced with a 9-1 system amid reforms, with 9 the highest result. A 4 is broadly equivalent to a C grade, and a 7 broadly equivalent to an A.
In 2017 the grading system was overhauled so that instead of using letters as had been the tradition, students would receive a number 1-9.
2020 was the first time that all students received their grades with the new system after a few years of phasing it in.
This is now the case for GCSE students who will get numerical grades for all their subjects as all courses have now moved over to the new grading system.
The number system came into place in an attempt to make GCSEs tougher.
It's believed that it will help students appear more attractive to potential employers as higher grades now have more distinction than the old system.
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk Today, 17:50
CAN STUDENTS RESIT EXAMS?
Students in England not happy with their grades can retake GCSE exams in November.
This is to give the option for students to improve the grade they receive.
Alternatively, students have the option to enter again for the summer 2022 exams.
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk Today, 17:40
HOW ARE GCSE RESULTS CALCULATED?
Unlike last year, hopeful students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get grades on the basis of teacher assessment alone.
The assessments are based on several pieces of marked work and previous exams undertaken.
Any pupils set to receive their results should have been made aware of what work and exams are being assessed before their grades are finalised.
All work assessed is based on this year's teaching, making allowances for teaching hours curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions.
These grades will then be double-checked by other teachers before being signed off by the head teacher.
And amid claims that students from more affluent areas could get an advantage, it has been confirmed that exams boards will regulate if the evidence teachers use to grade pupils is fair.
The new streamlined grading system comes after teens receiving results last year were initially given a moderated GCSE grade worked out by a computerised algorithm.
louis.allwood@thesun.co.uk Today, 17:30
WHEN IS GCSE RESULTS DAY 2021? DATES AND TIMES
Normally students receive their results in mid to late August, but GCSE pupils will receive theirs two days later on August 12.
Grades are usually available from 8am.
Bringing results day forward will ensure pupils have enough time to log appeals so A-level students don't miss out on their preferred university places for the autumn.
John Hall Today, 17:22
HOW ARE GRADES BEING AWARDED THIS YEAR?
GCSE and A-level exams have been cancelled for 2021, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and third lockdown that saw schools closed.
The government decided to axe this summer’s testing regime with a Department for Education spokesperson saying in early January: “The Government position is that we will not be asking students to sit GCSE and A-Levels.”
On January 6, 2021, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said GCSE, AS and A-level exams in England will be replaced by school-based assessments. The Department for Education and England’s exams regulator Ofqual says teachers can draw on a range of evidence when determining grades.
This includes mock exams, coursework or other work completed as part of a pupil’s course, such as essays or in-class tests. Pupils will only be assessed on what they have been taught after months of school and college closures.
Schools and colleges will submit their grades to exam boards by June 18 to maximise teaching time.
John Hall Today, 17:19
ALMOST 50% OF ENGLISH A-LEVEL PUPILS SCORE A GRADES
Students have scored record A-Level results this year after the number of top grades almost doubled under teacher-assessment.
A whopping 44% of grades were at A* and A this year, sky-rocketing from the 25% registered when exams were last held in 2019.
The number of pupils getting a B and above has also risen sharply to 70% with pupils at private schools and in London the biggest winners.
But while the proportion of top grades has grown, the percentage of those at C to EU has remained “relatively stable”.
Officials admitted that the discrepancy is partly down to teachers giving their pupils “some benefit of the doubt”.
Just under one in five (19%) of all grades awarded was at the top A* level.
And a massive 12,945 students in England registered three A*s compared to 7,774 last year and just 2,664 in 2018.
John Hall Today, 17:16
STUDENTS DESERVE GOLD MEDALS… NOT JUST A-GRADES AFTER COVID DISRUPTED THEIR LIVES
Sun exclusive comment by education secretary Gavin Williamson
Results week is here – and for thousands of young people and their families the wait is almost over. Getting your A-level, GCSE or vocational results is always a nerve-racking time.
But this year students overcame even greater challenges than normal. While the pandemic has caused disruption to everyone’s lives, young people have really had to dig deep.
Frankly, if there had been an Olympic medal for grit, our students would all have won gold.
We faced stark choices this year when a new variant of Covid meant schools had to close again for public safety as we locked down.
Some people argued loudly that we should put off the entire process — making students repeat the year, then take exams and receive their -qualifications later. But putting all those futures on hold was not an option.
Read more here.
John Hall Today, 17:13
EXPLAINED: HOW TO APPEAL A GRADE
Students will be able to appeal to the exam board via their school if there has been an error made in their grade calculation.
Students who are applying to higher education who did not attain the offer they accepted as their first choice, must appeal by August 16.
John Hall Today, 17:10
UNIVERSITY ENTRY WILL BE ‘MORE COMPETITIVE’ THAN EVER
Entry to universities will be “more competitive” than ever thanks to inflated grades and a lack of courses, according to the official applications body.
UCAS said students going through clearing are likely to find it tougher to get on to the courses they want. Applications chief Clare -Marchant warned that “for those most selective courses at the most selective institutions, it is likely to be more competitive”.
There will be around 90,000 students aiming to join different courses, with many trying to switch after doing better than expected thanks to teacher-graded A-levels.
Ms Marchant believes a record number of students will still take up places through clearing, but she warned there will be “hotspots” where it could be much more competitive this year.
She urged students receiving grades on Tuesday to make a decision about courses “in a matter of days” rather than waiting weeks as she expects the system to be “active”.
Read more here.
John Hall Today, 17:07
HOW ARE GRADES BEING AWARDED THIS YEAR?
GCSE and A-level exams have been cancelled for 2021, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and third lockdown that saw schools closed.
The government decided to axe this summer’s testing regime with a Department for Education spokesperson saying in early January: “The Government position is that we will not be asking students to sit GCSE and A-Levels.”
On January 6, 2021, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said GCSE, AS and A-level exams in England will be replaced by school-based assessments. The Department for Education and England’s exams regulator Ofqual says teachers can draw on a range of evidence when determining grades.
This includes mock exams, coursework or other work completed as part of a pupil’s course, such as essays or in-class tests. Pupils will only be assessed on what they have been taught after months of school and college closures.
Schools and colleges will submit their grades to exam boards by June 18 to maximise teaching time.
John Hall Today, 17:04
ALMOST 50% OF ENGLISH A-LEVEL PUPILS SCORE A GRADES
Students have scored record A-Level results this year after the number of top grades almost doubled under teacher-assessment.
A whopping 44% of grades were at A* and A this year, sky-rocketing from the 25% registered when exams were last held in 2019.
The number of pupils getting a B and above has also risen sharply to 70% with pupils at private schools and in London the biggest winners.
But while the proportion of top grades has grown, the percentage of those at C to EU has remained “relatively stable”.
Officials admitted that the discrepancy is partly down to teachers giving their pupils “some benefit of the doubt”.
Just under one in five (19%) of all grades awarded was at the top A* level.
And a massive 12,945 students in England registered three A*s compared to 7,774 last year and just 2,664 in 2018.
John Hall Today, 17:01
STUDENTS DESERVE GOLD MEDALS… NOT JUST A-GRADES AFTER COVID DISRUPTED THEIR LIVES
Sun exclusive comment by education secretary Gavin Williamson
Results week is here – and for thousands of young people and their families the wait is almost over. Getting your A-level, GCSE or vocational results is always a nerve-racking time.
But this year students overcame even greater challenges than normal. While the pandemic has caused disruption to everyone’s lives, young people have really had to dig deep.
Frankly, if there had been an Olympic medal for grit, our students would all have won gold.
We faced stark choices this year when a new variant of Covid meant schools had to close again for public safety as we locked down.
Some people argued loudly that we should put off the entire process — making students repeat the year, then take exams and receive their -qualifications later. But putting all those futures on hold was not an option.
Read more here.
John Hall Today, 16:58
EXPLAINED: HOW TO APPEAL A GRADE
Students will be able to appeal to the exam board via their school if there has been an error made in their grade calculation.
Students who are applying to higher education who did not attain the offer they accepted as their first choice, must appeal by August 16.
John Hall Today, 16:55
UNIVERSITY ENTRY WILL BE ‘MORE COMPETITIVE’ THAN EVER
Entry to universities will be “more competitive” than ever thanks to inflated grades and a lack of courses, according to the official applications body.
UCAS said students going through clearing are likely to find it tougher to get on to the courses they want. Applications chief Clare -Marchant warned that “for those most selective courses at the most selective institutions, it is likely to be more competitive”.
There will be around 90,000 students aiming to join different courses, with many trying to switch after doing better than expected thanks to teacher-graded A-levels.
Ms Marchant believes a record number of students will still take up places through clearing, but she warned there will be “hotspots” where it could be much more competitive this year.
She urged students receiving grades on Tuesday to make a decision about courses “in a matter of days” rather than waiting weeks as she expects the system to be “active”.
Read more here.
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