Listening to students and teachers is the best way to understand the A-level results chaos

The crisis will inevitably escalate in a few days’ time when GCSE results arrive, writes Kuba Shand-Baptiste

Students protest outside the Department for Education in London on Friday (AFP/Getty)

We all know the routine when A-level results day rolls around: tell the kids that exams don’t actually matter, reel off personal anecdotes about the education system of yesteryear, argue with each other over how we show our support, or lack thereof.

You would have assumed a pandemic would quell the unhelpful tradition, not least because it’s painfully clear that those of us who didn’t study for A-levels, GCSEs or teach this year have no discernable idea what navigating the education system is really like right now. Still, the “I got 10 Ds and now I own five houses” crew is just as loud as it’s ever been. Jeremy Clarkson’s annual obnoxious tweet arrived right on time, and so did the inevitable backlash.

One thing that has remained, however, is the genuine concern so many seem to be feeling towards anyone who’s had the misfortune of having to put up with the government, Gavin Williamson’s leadership and this shambolic, reactive education system; those with kids or younger siblings; people who are due to go into teaching for the first time; even sympathisers who have nothing to do with education whatsoever.

As sad as it has been to read about and listen to young people and educational professionals’ experiences in the news, however, it has also been incredibly illuminating. We don’t listen to the people the government’s decisions affect nearly enough, and what they have to say, from how upset and angry they are that this system has failed them, why there is likely worse to come and how it feels to be a teacher right now, is essential reading.

With Ofqual’s sudden withdrawal of its appeals guidance hours after it was released on Sunday and potential legal action from parents and students against the regulator and the government over the scandal, it’s safe to say there’ll be a fair amount of issues for some time to come.

The chaos will inevitably escalate in a few days’ time when GCSE results day rolls around. Whether the education secretary will still be there to pick up the pieces in the days following 20 August is anyone’s guess.

Yours,

Kuba Shand-Baptiste

Acting deputy Voices editor