Ofqual decide not to regrade GCSE results

The row over GCSE grade boundaries has continued after Ofqual has decided not to regrade this year's English papers.

The exams regulator has stood by the June grading system, but acknowledged an earlier regrading in January as the reason for the issues. Pupils will be given the chance to resit their papers in November, but it is unclear as to whether the grading boundaries will change.

The headteachers union the Association of School and College Leaders urged Ofqual to conduct an investigation into the affair, and ask specifically when it was revealed that grade boundaries changed between January and June of this year. Pupils who had been expecting a grade C were given a D and missed out on college places as a result.

Brian Lightman, the ASCL general secretary, said: "Teachers and students acted in good faith, followed advice and feedback from the awarding bodies during the year, and worked to the approximate grade boundaries given to them. They accept that grade boundaries can change by a couple of marks, but to change by 10 or more makes a mockery of the system."

An overly generous change to the grading of English GCSE paper in January, when only 7% of pupils sat the exam, and fears over grade inflation, has been identified as reasons why examiners were advised to mark papers more strictly in June.