Students left frustrated over A-levels results

ANGER and frustration mounted in schools across Tyrone today as many students were left disappointed after receiving their A level results.

Many pupils will not have received the A Level grades they had expected this morning as the teachers’ predicted grades have not been upheld by the NI examinations body, CCEA.

This year’s results were estimated after exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but there has been a big discrepancy with the grades teachers submitted for the students and those they have been awarded. 

A-level grades were based on previous AS results, resit data and teachers’ predicted grades for their students.

Principal of Omagh High School Mr Gaitatzis said it has been a difficult day for some of his students.

He explained, “The predicted grades were well ignored and a significant number of our grades were downgraded – not just by one grade but in some cases by two grades.

“The awarding body has used a statistical model which took into account the ranking that was given to the grade rather than the grade itself.

“This has been deterimental to the students and I am very disappointed with the whole process.

“The students are upset and they feel their future has been taken away from them.

“I have tried to put things into perspective for them because there will be more oppurtunities in life but they are disappointed because they know what they deserve,” said Mr Gaitatzis.

The chief executive of examination body CCEA told the BBC if teacher judgement had been used on its own, results would have risen “considerably”.

Justin Edwards said often teachers “over-predict” or are “over confident” when it comes to predicting the lower C-E grades in particular.