In Kent and elsewhere, Thursday's announcement of A-Level and other post-16 results has been met with deep and growing concern from students, their families and their schools. Even where the aggregate outcomes have broadly matched schools' expectations (and that has not always been the case), there are reports of huge individual variation and unfairness. As Richard Long, KCC's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills has put it: "in many cases the grades appear to bear little resemblance to student ability or to the Centre Assessed Grades (CAG) awarded by schools."
As Leader of the Council (and having previously had responsibility for the County Council's role in Education), I have been contacted by head teachers and chairs of governors to express their alarm and incredulity at what has happened. They have also expressed their apprehension over what this means for this week's GCSEs.
KCC stands ready to support schools, students and families and, in an announcement on Friday, made clear our course of action. The County Council will collate information from Kent schools to be able to present a coherent picture to government of the issues and concerns in the County, and to urge the Education Secretary to investigate and redress the problem with rapid effect. The future prospects of many of our young people depend on it.
You can find the KCC statement here.
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