Students must retake their “fake” A level and GCSEs

Southport journalist Martin Hovden (pictured) writes: This is getting beyond a joke. Students who this week understandably celebrated their teacher-assessed A level and GCSE success have, through no fault of their own, been thrust into a fantasy world.

There is no doubt that because of Covid their teachers deliberately inflated their grades, either because they felt sorry for their students or they wanted to protect the reputation of the school (especially in the private sector).

Students who achieved A or A-star in A level have DOUBLED since 2019 (I.e pre-Covid). Really. The students themselves know full well the results are fake and certainly not a true reflection of their academic ability.

What happens when in years to come they go for a job interview and the prospective employer says: I see you got exceptional exam results in 2021...hmmm.”

Surely the only way to restore the integrity and honesty of the exam system is for all students to re-sit their A level and GCSEs. It’s the right thing to do.

By the way, I attach absolutely no blame to the students themselves. They are the innocent party. But I’m sure they will agree with my views.