As a GCSE student, I have fears over teachers deciding my exam grades

On 4 January, Boris Johnson ordered England’s third national lockdown as coronavirus cases continued to soar to record highs. He also announced the closure of schools and the cancellation of exams – both of which will greatly affect me.  

Announcing the school closures, the prime minister said: “We recognise that this will mean it is not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer as normal.” He added: "The education secretary will work with Ofqual to put in place alternative arrangements.” But the phrase “alternative” itself is ambiguous. What did he mean by that? How will our exams be marked? Will we still have a form of examination? If so, do we still need to revise?  

The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, since outlined what will happen – exams will be replaced by teacher assessment. He said: “This year we are going to put our trust in teachers rather than algorithms”. While I have good relationships with my teachers and I’m pleased there is some clarity on what will happen this year, the fact exams are being marked by my teachers leads to more questions and concerns.

It has been nearly a year since my life changed dramatically, as it did for millions of students across the UK. Classrooms haven’t gone back to normal. When schools first closed on 19 March, myself and other year 10 students experienced anxiety as our education was halted. Due to our education continuing online, we’ve missed tremendous amounts of key information, leaving us severely behind. 

I returned to school in September after being out of the classroom for nine months, during which my dressing table became my study desk and my dinner table, it was refreshing to return to back to school for several reasons, especially to get human contact – I got see my friends.

Despite my education being deeply affected by school closures, the government remained resolute about holding exams, perhaps to avoid the chaos that unfolded last year with GCSE and A-Level students. Midway through the last term, the Department for Education announced that content would be taken off certain subjects and that grade boundaries would be lowered.

Although this was a reassurance for many, it was still unclear what would happen for many subjects, what content would be taken off and how the grade boundaries would be lowered. Scotland and Wales cancelled their exams months ago – but the English government was determined to keep exams.

When the prime minister announced the cancellation of exams on Monday, I can’t explain how happy I felt. For me, exams getting cancelled was a huge relief as I was under an immense amount of pressure and stress due to missing more than six months of education. I, and many of my peers, had missed weeks of work due to self-isolation. I initially thought it was a godsend, but perhaps my optimism was too impulsive. We students are at the mercy of whatever the education secretary decides. 

I was beyond petrified that students could experience a similar exam disaster like last year, when many from disadvantaged backgrounds got lower grades, simply because of their addresses. As a comprehensive school student living in Bradford, one of the most economically deprived areas in the country, I am terrified that I could be discriminated against. 

Last year, Williamson faced calls to resign after the use of a controversial algorithm to predict A-level grades that saw thousands of students miss out on university places. After a U-turn, the government allowed students to be awarded their predicted grades.

Unlike students last year, we have a while until our supposed exam dates. But it has raised questions over what grades will be based on – will it be on how well we have recently done in school? Will our personal working from home situations be considered?  How much time do we have to contribute to our grades?

It is a worry that our grades will be decided by my teachers, many of my friends are posting their concerns on social media stating that their "life is ruined”, as certain teachers don't like them.

It is a concern that teachers' opinions may play a part to play in the grades students get. I hope plans will be put in place to guard against the subjectivity of teachers marking exams. We as students are petrified that only “teacher’s pets” will get the grades. There must be checks and balances in place when it comes to exam marking. 

The government has failed to provide clarity on the cancellation of the exams, while I welcome the recent announcement that teachers will mark exams, some crucial information has been missed. How will we have our exams marked? Will we still have some form of examination? If so, do we still need to revise?  

It’s not healthy for students to be left in limbo. It is also not fair on our teachers – it is important that we spare a thought for them too, they don't yet know the process in which they will be marking our exams. 

As a 15-year-old GCSE student, I am pleased we now know that teachers are marking our exams, but there is much to learn about the process.

My teachers, and especially my fellow peers, need reassurances that exams will be conducted fairly and that no students will be at a disadvantage. If the government fails to provide us with this, it will cause unnecessary stress among my age group – especially during a national lockdown. Students being at home, cut off from the world, and filled with anxiety is not a good combination.