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Daily News Summary
25 August 2022

Exams 2022: Top GCSE grades drop as Ofqual tackles pandemic grade inflation
Schools must stay open five days a week this winter despite rising energy costs, says minister
Maths tutor sets up free tuition scheme for disadvantaged pupils
17-year-old becomes youngest person to fly around the world solo

Exams 2022: Top GCSE grades drop as Ofqual tackles pandemic grade inflation

 

The proportion of top grades at GCSE this year has dropped from record highs seen during the pandemic, but remains higher than the level awarded in 2019. By Poppy Wood, Alannah Francis and Lucie Heath, iNews.

A statement from Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), wishing pupils well as they receive their results can be read here.

Exam board Pearson has suggested that some BTEC Level 2 students will not receive their results as planned today. According to BBC News, affected students may be deemed "ineligible" to receive their grades because some of their marks are not logged in the system. By Hazel Shearing.

Professor Becky Francis, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, has said it is "more important than ever" that any attainment gaps found in GCSE results are "carefully monitored". By Matilda Martin, Tes.

The Telegraph reports independent schools have seen a bigger drop in top GCSE grades than state schools. By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Alex Clark. The article quotes ISC chairman Barnaby Lenon, who says: "That this drop is greater than some other types of school is expected because independent school students are more clustered at the top end of grade scale where there has been most grade deflation."

According to The Times, London has seen the biggest growth in terms of top grades, with a 6.9 percentage point increase on 2019. By Nicola Woolcock and Ryan Watts.

The Times reports on survey findings from Teacher Tapp, which suggest more than two fifths of teachers are now in favour of reforming GCSEs. By Nicola Woolcock.

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, has warned that GCSE pupils whose education has been affected by school closures during the pandemic are at risk of dropping out of sixth form if they find their courses to be too difficult. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

Schools Week summarises eight key trends in England's GCSE results data. By Samantha Booth.

 

Schools must stay open five days a week this winter despite rising energy costs, says minister

 

Schools minister Will Quince has said that schools must stay open five days a week this winter, following reports that some school leaders are considering three-day weeks to manage the rise in gas and electricity bills. By Adam Forrest, The Independent.

 
The Independent

Maths tutor sets up free tuition scheme for disadvantaged pupils

 

The Guardian features an article on Muhammad Ali, a former banker turned maths tutor who is offering booster sessions to disadvantaged pupils, including refugees and children on free school meals. By Robert Booth.

 
The Guardian

17-year-old becomes youngest person to fly around the world solo

 

Mark Rutherford, a student from Sherborne School, has broken two world records by becoming the youngest person to fly around the world solo. By Berny Torre, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

 

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