SALFORD COUNCIL VOICES CONCERNS AS A-LEVEL RESULTS ARE ANNOUNCED

With students receiving their A Level results today, Salford City Council has quite rightly issued a statement voicing concerns over the potential for discrimination of students based upon the results being graded taking into account results from schools and colleges which have had poor results in previous years.

The council has suggested that the results should solely be based upon the academic abilities of the student and we wholly agree.

If there is one thing that this pandemic has made evidently clear, it is that the education system has been heavily neglected as well as mismanaged - and when tested, it buckled in spectacular fashion leaving a generation of students kicked to the kerb.

This is completely unacceptable and should never be allowed to be repeated, we need a modern and flexible education system in place to ensure that should future generations find themselves in a similar position, the system will remain functional.

Meanwhile, the council has pledged to support any student that takes issue with the grades they receive.

Deputy City Mayor Councillor John Merry said:

Quote

 

“I am extremely concerned, even with the additional measures announced by the government late in the day, that students in Salford may not have got the A-levels they deserved today – and that it will be similar with GCSE results next week.

“It is simply wrong to take account of factors other than the student’s own performance in assessing their achievement and it is certainly wrong to discriminate against students who have attended schools that have not achieved good results in the past.  We will be supporting any school and student who wants to take issue with their grades.

“Today should be a day of celebrations but please only celebrate safely and legally in line with the current anti-COVID-19 measures. I know that's a very sad situation, but we are dealing with a virus that can kill older and vulnerable people. We are in the midst of a deadly pandemic and restrictions on parties and social gatherings still apply. We all have to do our bit.

"These last few months have been and continue to be very difficult for both students and teachers and I have nothing but praise for their resilience and hard work.

“There is plenty of careers advice and support available including www.salford.gov.uk/findmyfuture which has information on apprenticeships and opportunities and mental health support services such as www.Kooth.com if things have not gone to plan."