Uproar over GCSE and A-Level grades have left may students feeling deflated and rightly so, heartbroken. They were no longer in control of their own future paths but had them determined for them based on an algorithm based on their postcodes.

Exams all across the UK were cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus. Therefore, the government left students under the impression that they would be given their predicted grades using reports from their teachers. However, that is not what happened. Did you know that 42% of grades were lower than what the students were predicted due to the government’s ‘algorithm’ based on where the individual lives? That’s roughly 280,000 students that have had their grades downgraded.

Students and their parents up and down the country have been gutted by this ‘unfair’ and ‘harsh’ judgement when they were under the impression that they would achieve their predicted grades. One student in particular has told the minister that he has ‘ruined’ her life as she felt that her life was ‘completely over’ as she could no longer go to the university of her dreams.

Correcting Their Wrongs

The government have now claimed that they will actually use students predicted grades and that all previous grades for this year are to be scrapped. Initially, students would have had to pay to appeal which many believed it to be a money-making scheme while others may not have been able to afford this. Of course, this was wrong as every student deserves a chance to get their education especially after working so hard.

University Approach

Universities have all taken a different approach with Oxford University honouring all results so that students are still given a place. Whereas, Sheffield Hallam University had to turn away students because they couldn’t offer them a place based on those grades. However, once light had been shed on the situation many universities are now able to give those students their place and a chance at furthering their education. There were many factors to take into consideration as everything has slightly altered now due to the coronavirus pandemic. Universities have had to determine whether or not they have the capacity to take on a certain amount of students as they have to keep in mind social distancing guidelines and the fact that fewer foreign students will be applying. Not only this but if they have enough student accommodation and what they will do for those students how were hoping to spend their year placement abroad.

To find out what Sheffield Hallam and University of Sheffield are doing, visit their websites.

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