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Earlier I i/ved Mithushan
He'd be the 1st in his school to go to Oxbridge ( @CaiusCollege, medicine). Perfect GCSEs. State school. Predicted 4A*. Result: 1A* 3A. He's now been told he's been unsuccessful in his application.
His story embodies something important about today.
He'd be the 1st in his school to go to Oxbridge ( @CaiusCollege, medicine). Perfect GCSEs. State school. Predicted 4A*. Result: 1A* 3A. He's now been told he's been unsuccessful in his application.
His story embodies something important about today.
Really important to say
Overall top grades are up
Poorer students in aggregate are doing better than usual
But private schools are doing exceptionally well. And students like Mithushan (high achievers, poorer schools) are the ones really paying a penalty.
Overall top grades are up
Poorer students in aggregate are doing better than usual
But private schools are doing exceptionally well. And students like Mithushan (high achievers, poorer schools) are the ones really paying a penalty.
As I said earlier, p126 of ofqual makes clear that places with smaller cohorts/more esoteric subjects were impossible to standardise and therefore less subject to the vagaries of the algorithm. More likely to be awarded their teacher assessment grades.
For students like M they had no such luxury. Instead, his school has bigger classes and a variable academic history (it's improved a lot). They had 216 A-level entries for 65 candidates. 138 were downgraded.
There can be little doubt M and others were dragged down artificially.
There can be little doubt M and others were dragged down artificially.
So for the PM to talk of the system being "robust", while true in a sense, misses a crucial point. It's unfortunately been more robust for some than others. And it's tended to be more robust on exactly the sort of disadvantaged pupils everyone wants to see do well.
The thing is, what is odd is that this is a regime which is very unConservative. The whole rationale of the exam system (esp post Gove) is to support people like Mithushan- outliers, who shine despite circs. This model (without a better appeals process) suppresses the outlier.
In other words, ministers are prioritising the importance of the credibility of the overall system, even at the expense of the individual. Could be said that sits uncomfortably a) Conservative philosophy b) the fundamental principle which must underpin an exam system: desert.
@Samfr's excellent thread has already articulated very well what the problems with appeals are so won't repeat.
But he's completely right, the problem isn't really with the algorithm (that's making the best of a bad job)- the problem is with the appeals process…
But he's completely right, the problem isn't really with the algorithm (that's making the best of a bad job)- the problem is with the appeals process…
...an appeals process which still hasn't been worked out for candidates like M and where time (to get his Cambridge place) really is ticking. Probably the worst charge against ministers isn't so much that the situ is rotten (out of their control) it's that the situ is rotten…
..but the processes haven't been put in place to properly ameliorate them, especially given we knew they were coming.
Anyway, more on Newsnight right now. Get it on the telly.
Thanks for the messages about the interview with Mithushan. You're all right, he's a v special young man. As he said: "I just wanted to make my parents proud, my school proud and most of all, myself proud."
Will keep you updated with what happens to Mithushan. In the meantime, I’m very interested to hear more about how university admissions’ offices are dealing with all this. If you work in/for one, or in another position at a university DMs are open, as ever in strictest confidence
Update, statement from @CaiusCollege. Says Mithushan and others in his position will either a) appeal and place will be honoured this year (presumably if it happens in time) or b) take autumn exams and be offered a place next year.
