The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (17 August) welcomed a u-turn from the Welsh Government which will see Aberconwy students awarded their teacher predicted grades. 

Her comments follow an earlier urgent letter to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Education on behalf of local students, in which the Member called for such a change to be implemented. She warned of the serious consequences of the grading system which had left some Aberconwy students completely demoralised, 'feeling unable to apply to top universities as they no longer have the high grades expected.'

Commenting on the change in policy, Janet said:  

"I welcome this necessary change in grading policy. Whilst I appreciate the unprecedented circumstances which brought about the cancellation of all examinations this year, the approach that was taken to resolve this dilemma caused regrettable and demoralising upset with serious implications for our student's futures. 

"It is clear that the policy undertaken by the Welsh Government could not be allowed to continue, with several local headteachers contacting my office to highlight their very valid concerns that the system placed higher-achieving students at historically lower-achieving schools at a disadvantage. 

"The awarding of teacher predicted grades will now go a long way in boosting pupil morale, and will work to show our collective confidence in the education professionals who first compiled these marks, which are based on classroom evidence from the last year.

"I am saddened, however, to be learning already that the change has come too late for some pupils. A parent has already advised me that their child has lost a place to study medicine as, whilst that young person now has the grades required, last Thursday they did not."

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 

• Please find a copy of Janet’s letter to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Education, attached.