"Welcome, But Too Late" - Isle Of Wight Politicians React To Government's Exams U-Turn

The Isle of Wight's political parties have been reacting after the Government announced a U-turn over the way students' grades are awarded.

As Isle of Wight Radio previously reported, students will now be handed exam grades as predicted by their teachers rather than a controversial algorithm.

Bob Seely MP previously said 'there was a case' for England to follow Scotland - something which has now been confirmed.

However, he has come into criticism for 'waiting until he had been told of the decision before backing it'.

'Welcoming' the news, Mr Seely said:

“I welcome this clear statement from the Government.  

“I appreciate that the last few days have been difficult for many students on the Island, and I am grateful to those constituents who have made contact with me on this important issue.

"As I said last week, I share the concerns of those who felt that Ofqual’s initial approach to A-level grading was having an adverse impact on some young people’s futures – and I urged the Government to consider adopting the same approach for England as has been done in Scotland. I am pleased that they have now done this.

“We must take account of the fact that we are living in unprecedented times and recognise what our young people – and their families – have been through over recent months.

“Last week, I congratulated the many Isle of Wight students who secured the grades they hoped for, or needed. I now extend these congratulations to those students who will now also receive the grades they deserve, and wish them all well for the future.

“I look forward to seeing the results for GCSEs on Thursday, and I welcome the clarity the Government has provided on this front. I hope that many of these GCSE students will now be able to progress into further education or other training opportunities on the Island, or elsewhere. We must ensure that all schools, colleges and other education institutions are open, in full, this autumn.”

Richard Quigley from Island Labour said:

"We are fast becoming used to the ever-increasing number of U-turns from this govt. The original decision to exclude teacher predictions in favour of an algorithm was founded upon this government's distrust of teachers. Now they have been forced to see sense and have rightly awarded grades predicted by those that know their pupils best - their teachers. Island Labour have been campaigning loudly for this policy change this since the Tory plans first became apparent. It's a shame Bob waited until he had been told of this decision before backing it, but as is very often the case, he doesn't seem to realise the time to campaign is before, not after the event. 

"I wish all pupils success in whatever comes next."

Nick Stuart, from the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, said:

"The Government U turn on A Level grades and GCSE results is welcome but late; really late.... too late. 

"We have seen Ministers in panic mode. In spite of clear guidance from the Liberal Democrats and others on how to deal with this nonsense. The announcement of using mock grades the day before the A Level results, the fiasco over appeal guidance being withdrawn this Saturday within less than 24 hours are typical of a Government utterly unwilling to admit mistakes and  take bold action. Their cowardly incompetence has put students, parents and schools under enormous strain wasting large amounts of time with serious effects. There are lasting consequences for  students including not getting onto courses that are now full or even falling out of education. The unfolding disaster has been flagged up for many weeks but nothing happened so we now see the baked in disadvantage to State Schools and Colleges having real impacts on the lives of normal people.

"On the Isle of Wight the fencing sitting behaviour of Bob Seely MP who issued a mealy mouthed response today is evidence of his lack of focus on what matters to the community he should serve. It shows what we all know, whatever he says he will follow the party line until the bitter end. Given his record there is little hope that Bob will call out the Minister for his repeated stubborn failures. 

"The Liberal Democrats would suggest a simple apology to the students, parents and schools on behalf of himself and his Government colleagues would help. While a change of approach would be better."

We've asked the Isle of Wight Green Party for a comment.