Pupils hit by concrete crisis denied A-level grade boost

Exam bosses are facing a growing backlash over their refusal to boost the grades of A-level students affected by crumbling concrete.

- MILLIE COOKE, KATE DEVLIN

Thousands were hit as dozens of schools across the country were forced to close entirely or shut off classrooms following the discovery of the dangerous material last year.

The head of Ofqual has resisted calls to raise their results, suggesting it would be unfair to pupils who suffered from other problems, such as teacher shortages. But politicians from across the political spectrum have called for a rethink, with A-level results due to be sent out tomorrow.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson said it was “shocking that some children spent months being taught in Portakabins and makeshift facilities through this crucial time in their education”, adding that the new Labour government must “now ensure pupils and parents impacted by these years of chaos are given the support they need”.

Labour MP Mary Foy told The Independent that the decision not to provide extra consideration for affected pupils was “absolutely devastating”, saying it was “perverse that a student would get special consideration for a fire alarm sounding during an exam, but none for having no access to the correct facilities, or even their previous work, for almost a full academic year”.