Avoiding a double whammy for care-experienced A-Level students

For many, this need not disrupt their plans for higher education. UCAS reports that 80,000 young people may apply to university through clearing this year, and many universities are likely to be flexible in their response to moderated grades – recognising the unique situation of the 2020 cohort, and also concerned about the drop in their projected student numbers because of the impact of the pandemic on the recruitment of international students.

However – as was the case in Scotland when the results of higher exams were announced last week – the process of grade moderation has disproportionately impacted young people from less privileged backgrounds. News outlets have cited Ofqual data showing that ‘pupils at independent schools received double the improvement in A* and A grades compared with those attending state comprehensives’. Some young people are likely to be doubly disadvantaged in dealing with the consequences of this unprecedented situation – with grades adjusted down, but without the support they need to navigate through the clearing system.