Head teachers from across North Wales have released a statement criticising the grading system of this year's A-level results.
With schools shut and exams cancelled, students received their final grades based on course work, previous results and teacher assessments instead.
The Federation of North Wales Secondary School Head Teachers has expressed grave concerns over this process, saying there were "huge disparities in the outcomes of individuals which we cannot track, justify or explain."
Universities have lowered their entry requirements due to the absence of international students, but this is "not enough," the statement says, as "pupils’ grades will be with them for the rest of their lives".
Nine headteachers have had their say on the issue.
Ysgol Eirias, Colwyn Bay
Mrs Sarah Sutton said: "Whilst we are pleased with many of the results our learners have been awarded, and (understand) that a national standardisation model is necessary, there are nonetheless some results which bear little or no resemblance to the grades awarded by the Centre. This is disappointing to the school and distressing for our learners.”
Rhyl High School, Rhyl
Claire Armitstead said: "Within every system confidence is only gained where fairness and consistency is seen. This system has generated numerous inconsistencies and grades that can’t be traced back to the data schools hold. It can never be forgotten that every inconsistency is a child whose life has been turned upside by an algorithm and this cannot be allowed to happen. It is unjust and immoral and our children deserve better."
Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch
R. Aaron Bayley said: "I am a proud Welshman and take my responsibility to all our school children and young adults as though they were my own. This has been the most difficult time in a generation and I accept the complexity of trying to put a fair system in place. However, what I saw yesterday was a group of young people who weren’t quite sure how to handle the situation.
"Furthermore, I am worried that the fact that there was flexibility in the university admissions system, meaning that everyone got a place, led to a broad acceptance of a situation that frankly was unacceptable for some. These grades remain with them for life and many walked away without questioning them."
Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin
Geraint Parry said: "At a time of economic crisis and spiralling unemployment, I had hoped that the interests of our young people would come first. Regrettably, students have been disregarded, downgraded and simply told ‘computer says no’.
"It is deeply regrettable that here in Wales, leaders have not had the courage of their convictions to follow the outstanding example set in Scotland where young people have been put first. Trust and confidence in Welsh Government, Qualifications Wales and WJEC is now at an all-time low and I appeal to them to make decisive changes ahead of the GCSE results next week."
Ysgol Brynrefail, Llanrug
Ellen Williams said: "As a school we are deeply upset and saddened by the grading system which has resulted in many of our young peoples' lives being devastated. We have seen so many inexplicable inconsistencies between the final grades awarded to pupils, which in some instances have dropped several grades in relation to the data presented by the school at both A and AS level.
"We are particularly concerned about how this will adversely have an impact on the lives and prospects of our students in comparison to the rest of the country. I find this unjust and unacceptable."
Ysgol Uwchradd Prestatyn, Prestatyn
Neil Foley said: "A-Level results day is usually a joyous and wonderful occasion with proud parents and teachers celebrating the student’s achievements. Results day this year was a day of sadness, anxiety and confusion. The thoughtless, unfair and careless way by which the A-level results have been allocated to my 6 form students this year is disgraceful.
"Many of the grades allocated bear no resemblance to our centre assessed grades or the past performance of the school. The harmful way the grades have been generated alongside last minute changes in policy have just gone to highlight what an utter mess the whole system is in. I am now extremely worried for our GCSE pupils next week."
Hawarden High School, Hawarden
Simon Budgen said: “There have been many student successes this year, and credit should not be taken away from those individuals. However, there are very real examples of students who are being disadvantaged in their applications to universities as result of the algorithm being used in Wales to calculate final grades when compared with their counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is wholly unacceptable.”
Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham
Catrin Pritchard said: "WJEC empowered us as a profession to predict grades for our students this year, this was a task we completed with pride and professionalism, collating a wide variety of evidence to substantiate our Centre Assessed Grades. Many of the grades awarded on Thursday bears very little resemblance to the Grades we determined.
"The system has generated inconsistencies and has shown a clear lack of respect for teacher judgements. Our students were elated and confused yesterday; elated that they had been offered a place at university but confused at the results they had been awarded.
"Our students will be relying on these grades for years to come as they apply for jobs, grades which due to the system are not a fair reflection of their hard work over the last 18 months. This is inexcusable."
Ysgol Alun, Mold
Jane Cooper said: "Our students have worked very hard to achieve the grades they need for progression to university and employment. Whilst many have been awarded the grades they have earned there are some students whose grade is below what they deserve and what teachers assessed them as.
"We believe that the standardisation of results has disadvantaged some students unfairly and has prevented them from accessing their choice of university courses."
Lynne Neagle, Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, added: "Our Committee has an important role in holding the Welsh Government and public bodies to account on the approaches adopted in response to this pandemic.
"Given the significant concerns and complexities surrounding the awarding of exam results this year we will be meeting urgently to seek clarity for those who've been through this challenging process in unprecedented times.
"Young people's well-being, and their ability to plan for their future learning and careers, will be at the centre of our work looking at these issues.
"We recognise that these matters are complex and will need detailed, longer term consideration.
"However, we believe that there is an important role for us to play now, to ask questions which will ensure that a fair and clear approach is adopted and communicated to the Welsh people as quickly as possible."
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: "Hearing that 50% of A-levels on Anglesey have been downgraded. Way above the national average. Why is that? More reports of the impact of this reaching me - another ‘straight As’ student with medical school offers now with no place available for her."
The Welsh Government has been contacted for a response to the statement.
