Pupils facing 'shock' with 300,000 fewer top GCSEs predicted

AROUND 300,000 fewer top GCSE grades could be awarded this week in a "shock" to pupils and their parents.

- Eleanor Busby

Exams regulator Ofqual has said a return to pre-pandemic grading means results in England will be lower than last year and similar to levels in 2019 - the year before coronavirus.

An education expert has predicted families may find the "substantial drop" in top grades awarded "hard to accept" and results day on Thursday "will not be as enjoyable" as during the pandemic years.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said there could be the huge drop in those graded 7 or above compared with 12 months ago.

Covid-19 led to an increase in top GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021 with results based on teacher assessments.

Prof Smithers said: "The restoration of the 2019 grade pattern in England will result in another record drop in top GCSE grades as the profligacy of teacher assessment is reversed.

Substantial