15,000 students rejected by universities due to low A-level grades can reapply today

The 15,000 students rejected by universities due to low A-level grades can reapply today with their upgraded marks – but middle-class students could miss out as institutes look to ‘prioritise disadvantaged pupils’.

Devastated pupils hit by Ofqual’s dreaded algorithm had originally seen their marks reduced to the point where they were turned down by their first choice unis.

But after a humiliating u-turn on Monday, the government announced students would be able to use their teacher-assessed grades instead.

It meant those who had been snubbed over their first results could reapply for their places. 

But it emerged today some students are set for further heartbreak as universities will prioritise those from ‘disadvantaged backgrounds’.

The chief executive of Ucas has said it is possible that universities could prioritise their applications – and encourage middle-class students to defer their places.

Students, teachers and politicians at Newcastle’s Monument for a Victory Rally after the u-turn

Asked about reports that disadvantaged pupils’ applications will be prioritised for the 2020/21 academic year, Clare Marchant told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think it is absolutely the right intention. I think we know from all of our survey work that those from most disadvantaged backgrounds really, really worry about money.

“And so if they are deferred for a year, or asked to defer for a year, we’re likely to see a drop-off. And so that’s the real intent behind that.

“I think what I would say is that universities are very individual, they make individual decisions, but all of them, having spoke to a number of them at Universities UK over the course of the last days and weeks, are looking to be as super flexible – they want students to come to them.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has resisted calls to resign after the A-level debacle

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has resisted calls to resign after the A-level debacle

She added: “They won’t just be looking at that. They’ll be looking at a number of different things in terms of that individual student.

“So going back to the context of that student, when they applied, when they were made an offer, as well as the level of disadvantage. It will be one of a number of things that individual universities are looking at.”

On Wednesday Ucas released figures showing that 100,000 students had already been accepted at their university choice, despite their algorithm-predicted grades.

Out of the remaining 60,000, a total of 15,000 will now be accepted for their first picks if they reapplied.

The proportion of A-level entries receiving an A grade or higher has increased to a record high for England, with 38.1% awarded the top grades (pictured)

The proportion of A-level entries receiving an A grade or higher has increased to a record high for England, with 38.1% awarded the top grades (pictured)

A timeline of exam failure 

March 18: Schools are closed and exams cancelled as the UK grinds to a halt under the coronavirus lockdown

March 20: Ministers say Ofqual and exam boards will work out a system for judging grades amid fears from parents that their children could lose out.

July 11: MPs on the Education Committee warn that the calculated grades system could unfairly punish disadvantaged and minority students because of the way it is calculated.

August 4: Scottish Higher results are released, with around 100,000 grades – a quarter of the total – marked down under a plan put in place by Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP administration

August 11: The Scottish Education Minister John Swinney U-turns under pressure from Tories and Labour and says predicted grades will be used instead of the algorithm.

August 11: Ministers in England decide that pupils will be able to appeal against their grades, in some cases using mock exam performance, just two days before the English results are released.

August 13: Almost 40 per cent of A-Level results in England are downgraded by Ofqual’s algorithm, sparking widespread fury and demands for a U-turn.

August 15: Ministers say that it will fund appeals against the marks handed out, in a bid to quell to anger.

August 15: Ofqual withdrawals its appeal criteria just hours after publishing it, pending a review.

August 17: Mr Williamson announces that A-Levels and GCSEs due to be unveiled on Thursday will be calculated using predicted grades, amid calls for his resignation.

Ucas said it conducted further analysis into the 15,000 and say 7% of them – which is the equivalent of 6,090 students. 

It is the latest twist in the tale for the A-Level students after a rollercoaster week that have taken them from agony to ecstasy.

 Both Boris Johnson and Education Secretary had previously insisted the results calculation system was ‘robust’.

But in reality it saw almost  40 per cent of grades reduced from teachers’ predictions – devastating bright and dedicated pupils.

It sparked a cross-party of Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem MPs to attack the Government’s handling of the row – together with furious teachers, union bosses and education leaders.

Protests in the streets from students saw the results eventually overturned in favour of the teachers’ predicted grades.

Mr Williamson apologised to pupils and parents affected by ‘significant inconsistencies’ with the grading process amid calls for him to resign or be sacked.

He said: ‘This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for young people who were unable to take their exams.

‘We worked with Ofqual to construct the fairest possible model, but it is clear that the process of allocating grades has resulted in more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process.’

He added: ‘We now believe it is better to offer young people and parents certainty by moving to teacher assessed grades for both A and AS level and GCSE results.

‘I am sorry for the distress this has caused young people and their parents but hope this announcement will now provide the certainty and reassurance they deserve.’  

It provided ammunition for the Government’s rivals and critics who said they had been slow to react and organise a proper system. 

Labour leader Keir Starmer said: ‘The Government has had months to sort out exams and has now been forced into a screeching U-turn after days of confusion.

‘This is a victory for the thousands of young people who have powerfully made their voices heard this past week.’

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