THE principal of Maldon's Plume Academy has called on the government to abandon the algorithm used to calculate A-level and GCSE grades – and return to those calculated by teachers.

His demands come after the government announced a 'triple lock' appeal process just two days before A-level and AS results were published last Thursday (17 August), where students unhappy with their grades could ask for their mock exam results to be relied on instead. The appeal process was revealed by exams regulator Ofqual on Friday – then promptly put on hold for review.

Mammoth task

Executive Principal Mr Wakefield stressed the effort and rigour of teaching staff in estimating exam outcomes, or Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) for students. This involved the calculation of more than 3,000 individual grades at Plume Academy, in Fambridge Road, after the sudden cancellation of exams in March.

He said: "It was a mammoth task and we worked through the whole of Easter and May half term breaks to get this done. Therefore, for the vast majority of it to be ignored and replaced by a singular algorithm apparently based on our previous year's subject specific outcomes was hugely disheartening for my staff and I as well as leaders and teachers across the nation."

While there were no A-level students from Plume Academy who lost out on their university place, some were downgraded from their teachers' estimates.

A call for urgent action

Now, with GCSE results due this Thursday, Mr Wakefield has urged ministers to act quickly.

He said: "The bottom line is that whilst the whole situation is becoming increasingly farcical, the ongoing actions of the Government and Ofqual are now seriously impacting on the potential life chances of students on a national scale.

"In my opinion, and as occurred in Scotland when exactly the same situation arose, the government needs to urgently conduct a u-turn, allow the CAGs that so much time, effort and ultimately, professionalism, went into, to stand and have the character and integrity to apologise to those students and their families who have been massively negatively impacted thus far.

"This will also then avert another identical situation arising on Thursday but even more worryingly, on a much larger scale. By doing so, they will also alleviate the worry and anxiety of those awaiting Thursday's results as hundreds of thousands will be doing so with genuine and real trepidation."

[H3]Principal's video vow to his students

In a video message released to his students yesterday (Sunday), Mr Wakefield vowed: "Ultimately, we will fulfil helping you to achieve the grades that you deserve and that some of you haven't got. That was a pledge and a promise made by the government, the Prime Minister himself, the Secretary for Education and therefore we need to hold those leaders to account."

He added: "To those students affected, we're working on this, we're operational and we're waiting to see what comes through and we will only ever do our very best for you – because that's what you deserve."