St Edmund's Catholic School headteacher's concerns over BTec results delay

HEADTEACHER at St Edmund’s Catholic School, Simon Graham, has said the decision to delay the issuing of Btec grades was ultimately the correct one but is concerned it could put some students at a disadvantage in securing college places.

By Neil Fatkin

Published 20th Aug 2020, 15:07 BST

Updated 20th Aug 2020, 16:35 BST

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Mr Graham said he received an email from the Btec exam board, Pearsons, at 4pm on Wednesday telling him not to issue their results - just 18 hours before students were due to collect their grades.

The exam board made the decision over concerns their marks would not provide fair parity for pupils after the government’s U-turn to go with teacher predicted GCSE grades.

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St Edmund's Catholic School headteacher Simon Graham is concerned about the potential impact on pupils of the decision to delay the publication of BTec grades.

Picture: Sarah Standing — St Edmund's Catholic School headteacher Simon Graham is concerned about the potential impact on pupils of the decision to delay the publication of BTec grades. Picture: Sarah Standing

St Edmund's Catholic School headteacher Simon Graham is concerned about the potential impact on pupils of the decision to delay the publication of BTec grades.

Picture: Sarah Standing — St Edmund's Catholic School headteacher Simon Graham is concerned about the potential impact on pupils of the decision to delay the publication of BTec grades. Picture: Sarah Standing

Mr Graham said: ‘We have around 20 per cent of students who do Btec PE and dance. This is around 50 students and so it meant we had staff in at 7am this morning having to reprint results.

‘I’m not sure why they left it so late once the decision on GCSEs and A-levels was made but if it is going to be fairer for students then it is the correct decision.’

However, with Btec results not expected to be published for another seven days, Mr Graham hopes not having a final set of results ‘doesn’t disadvantage those students’.

SEE ALSO: Oaklands Catholic School student speaks about rollercoaster of emotions since A-level results day

‘A lot of students have meetings and interviews for college places over the next week and you are normally expected to take along your final results. This could be a bigger problem for students in some schools where up to 40 per cent of pupils are doing BTecs.

‘The students I have spoken to about it are generally positive about the decision in that they are willing to wait a week if it means getting a more fair result,’ said Mr Graham.

Details have not yet been released as to whether Btec grades are to be sent to students or whether they will be expected to collect them from school.

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