Headteacher warns of 'confusion' over new GCSE grading system

The warning comes from Melanie Hooson, the head of the newly formed Shrewsbury Academy, as students across the county receive their results today.

She said: “This year the students receive their maths, English language and English literature results based on a 1 to 9 system - with 9 representing the highest score - as opposed to the old system of A* to G.

“This system was introduced by former education secretary Michael Gove as part of a drive to raise standards after comparing results in the UK with those in other developed countries.

“Over the next couple of years in particular, while the new grading system beds in, I think we can expect a lot of confusion for a lot of people and this is a real concern.

“Many students, their parents and potential employers will be largely unaware of the system change and will come across a lot of volatility.”

Mrs Hooson added that in the quest to raise standards, the Government should have looked at other priorities, rather than a change in the grading system.

“The best way to achieve better standards is to improve the quality of teaching – and this applies to the whole of the education across the country,” she said.

“Good quality teaching is what’s needed, not a change in the grading system. All the research suggests that changing the system like this won’t make the results any better.

“And as we are all aware, at the moment there is a huge recruitment crisis - this has to change for things to improve.”