In August, I met with the Principal of the Havering Sixth Form College to discuss concerns regarding the moderation process the college applied to the Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) given to students in some A Level subjects.

Since then, I have continued to engage directly with a number of students, their parents and constituents on this matter and have represented those ongoing concerns to both the College’s senior leadership and also Ofqual. I am pleased to advise today of the update that I received from Ofqual following their own review.

The Chief Regulator has advised that she is now satisfied that the overwhelming majority of students whose grades were lowered have now received a grade that is equivalent to, or higher, than their TAG. The College had requested that the exam boards change 685 grades, which have now been changed, and I am advised that a further 25 grades have been changed following stage two appeals by students.

While the Chief Regulator is satisfied that students at the college have now received appropriate grades, she has confirmed that exam boards will consider late appeals from students at Havering College despite the fact that the deadline has now passed. Any student who wishes to appeal should contact the college first and, if they do not receive support to appeal from the college, should then contact the relevant exam board directly. Guidance on the appeals process can be accessed here.

I am glad that revisions have now been made to grades so that students know where they stand and feel more confident that the final results are a better reflection of their attainment. It has been a difficult and highly unusual year for teachers and students alike and I have been glad to work with constituents and the college to get to a better place on this issue.