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GCSE English regrade 'damaging', Welsh government warned GCSE English regrade 'damaging', Welsh government warned
(about 3 hours later)
The Welsh government was warned its decision to regrade English GCSEs for pupils in Wales risked "damaging" the qualification's integrity.The Welsh government was warned its decision to regrade English GCSEs for pupils in Wales risked "damaging" the qualification's integrity.
Nearly 2,400 pupils in Wales who sat the English language exam with the WJEC received better results after a review.Nearly 2,400 pupils in Wales who sat the English language exam with the WJEC received better results after a review.
The education minister said pupils were the victims of an "injustice" after receiving lower grades than expected following a shift in grade boundaries.The education minister said pupils were the victims of an "injustice" after receiving lower grades than expected following a shift in grade boundaries.
It marked a break with England where ministers refused to intervene It marked a break with England where ministers refused to intervene.
Leighton Andrews said he did not take the decision order a regrade lightly.
Exam boards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had been told over the summer by regulators to raise the threshold for awarding C grades meaning thousands of pupils were given lower than expected grades.Exam boards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland had been told over the summer by regulators to raise the threshold for awarding C grades meaning thousands of pupils were given lower than expected grades.
In Wales, there was an outcry leading to an inquiry called by Education Minister Leighton Andrews resulting in a decision to regrade the papers taken by Welsh pupils who sat the WJEC exam board English language papers. Following an outcry, Mr Andrews decided to regrade the results of Welsh pupils who sat the WJEC exam board English paper.
But BBC Wales has learnt that the chief executive of exam board WJEC had warned Mr Andrews against taking such action. But BBC Wales has learnt the chief executive of the board warned Mr Andrews against taking such action.
It came during the intense negotiations in early September over how and whether the grades should be regraded.It came during the intense negotiations in early September over how and whether the grades should be regraded.
Within a week, however, the education minister - who is the exam regulator in Wales - ordered that grade boundaries for pupils be revised, meaning that 2,386 pupils in Wales had results increased.Within a week, however, the education minister - who is the exam regulator in Wales - ordered that grade boundaries for pupils be revised, meaning that 2,386 pupils in Wales had results increased.
The Cardiff-based exam board initially refused to implement the regrading and the minister was eventually forced to use his legal powers to issue a direction ordering them to carry it out.The Cardiff-based exam board initially refused to implement the regrading and the minister was eventually forced to use his legal powers to issue a direction ordering them to carry it out.
BBC Wales has learnt that in an email to a senior government official, WJEC chief executive Gareth Pierce warned against the planned Wales-only regrading. In an email to a senior government official, WJEC chief executive Gareth Pierce Wales-only regrading would create a "split standard" for its exams taken in Wales compared with those sat in England.
He said it would create a "split standard" for its exams taken in Wales compared with those sat in England.
He added that it would "seriously damage the integrity of the qualification" and could lead to legal challenges against the WJEC from centres in England, which would put the exam board in an "untenable position".He added that it would "seriously damage the integrity of the qualification" and could lead to legal challenges against the WJEC from centres in England, which would put the exam board in an "untenable position".
Mr Andrews will appear in front of an assembly committee on Thursday morning to answer questions about the issue. Appearing in front of an assembly committee on Thursday, Mr Andrews said a report by his regulatory officials concluded "that there was no reason why performance should have been significantly worse in 2012".
He is likely to be challenged about why his officials initially agreed with the English regulator Ofqual that the C grade threshold should be increased, before ordering a regrade for Welsh pupils after the results were published. "On that basis we concluded that the results were unfair to candidates," he told AMs.
Different grades "In Wales, we have acted to put right an unfairness. In England, a court case is pending.
The minister has said in the past that the full implications of the changes he had agreed over the summer only became clear when the results were published, and that the review was necessary in the interest of fairness to Welsh pupils. "I believe that, in a situation that is by no means perfect, the Welsh regulatory system has delivered fairness for Welsh students."
He added the "the jury is out" on the future of the three-country system.
The minister has said in the past that the full implications of the changes he agreed over the summer only became clear when the results were published, and that the review was necessary in the interest of fairness to Welsh pupils.
Other documents, also released under the Freedom of Information Act, include minutes of a meeting of the awarding committee of the WJEC held after the regrading was ordered in September.Other documents, also released under the Freedom of Information Act, include minutes of a meeting of the awarding committee of the WJEC held after the regrading was ordered in September.
They make clear the deep disquiet of the members about the move.They make clear the deep disquiet of the members about the move.
They express serious concerns about the implications of the decision for future awards and that the committee was being put in a position that was "essentially untenable" in having to recommend that a student in Wales would get a different grade to a student in England despite achieving an identical mark.They express serious concerns about the implications of the decision for future awards and that the committee was being put in a position that was "essentially untenable" in having to recommend that a student in Wales would get a different grade to a student in England despite achieving an identical mark.
Mr Andrews had accused UK Education Secretary Michael Gove of putting undue pressure on exam boards to make exams tougher.Mr Andrews had accused UK Education Secretary Michael Gove of putting undue pressure on exam boards to make exams tougher.
Mr Gove denied the claim and refused to order a regrading of GCSE English language exam papers for pupils in England, including those who sat the WJEC paperMr Gove denied the claim and refused to order a regrading of GCSE English language exam papers for pupils in England, including those who sat the WJEC paper
In Northern Ireland, a review of English GCSE grading has been ordered.In Northern Ireland, a review of English GCSE grading has been ordered.