HMC responds to the Government’s decision to allow teacher-assessed grades

Following the decision by the Government to allow teacher-assessed grades or CAGs to be used to determine exam results, Dr Simon Hyde, the incoming HMC General Secretary and head of the King’s School, Macclesfield, said:

“The decision on exam grading will come as a great relief to hundreds of thousands of students and parents. It will also provide welcome consistency for heads and teachers who have always had their pupils’ best interests at heart. It’s not perfect but it will do.

“The decision to trust teachers to be the best judges of the abilities of their pupils will go a long way to restoring public confidence in the exams system. While the new process is far from problem free, it is the fairest way forward in the circumstances and I know HMC heads will raise themselves to make it work.

“Ofqual’s decision will also allow them more time to focus on the safe reopening of their schools in September, the best way to provide all pupils with the education they need.

“Now we need urgent clarity on how universities intend to manage admissions, as there are currently limits to the number of places they can offer. Schools cannot afford a further period of confusion.”