Almost Half of Teachers Do Not Have Confidence in A-Level Grading: According to new research figures released by Ofqual – the exams watchdog – around half of teachers in England do not have confidence in the A-Level grading system, with a similar number stating that they are not confident in the way the exams have been marked in the last two years. Indeed, Head Teachers were asked what proportion of students they felt had been awarded the correct A-Level grade, with answers ranging between 71% and 80% proving most popular.

Teachers Do Not Have Confidence in A-Level Grading

However, the research – conducted with 230 Head Teachers and 698 teachers – found that despite misgivings, the vast majority of teachers (74%) and Head Teachers (81%) retain confidence in the overall A-level system.

At the same time Ofqual also completed research with 698 pupils and 321 parents, as well as a further 1,800 members of the general public.

Overall, confidence of the A-level system was high, with more than two thirds of all respondents (68%) stating they were confident in the system – although this fell to 59% among the general public.

Ofqual’s research also suggested that confidence in the GCSE system was lower than that in the A-Level system – only 55% of Head Teachers were confident in the qualification and 54% of teachers. Only half of the general public questioned (50%) had confidence in GCSEs, and confidence was lowest amongst parents, sitting at 45%. Students were most likely to be confident in GCSEs as a qualification, with 61% feeling this way.

Why The Lack of Confidence in A-Level Grading

The research detailed a number of reasons for concern in relation to both GCSEs and A-Levels, including a perception that the exam system was under ‘constant change’, the incorrect marking and incorrect grading of exam scripts and the removal of the January assessment opportunity. Students were particularly concerned about having too much pressure placed on them and a heavy workload, whilst teachers were concerned about the level of pressure and stress placed on them.

The full report can be viewed on the Ofqual website.