
New Ofqual report highlights areas for improvement in exam marking
Exams regulator Ofqual has published a new review of the 2017 summer exam series, revealing that the delivery of exams this year was of a generally high standard - but also that further improvements could be made.
During a summer in which several new GCSEs and A levels were awarded for the first time, around 14.1 million scripts were generated by approximately 1.4 million candidates, with about 2,200 different GCSE, AS and A level exams taken and marked by near to 63,000 examiners.
Overall, GCSE and A level results were stable, with 99 per cent of all AS and A level grades, and 98.6 per cent of all GCSE grades, unchanged in England this year after the conclusion of reviews. Moreover, the vast majority of question papers were error-free, with degrees of variation in year-on-year results for individual schools and colleges shown to be similar to previous years.
However, the number of grades challenged increased from 346,920 last year to 369,215 this year, resulting in 88,505 qualification grades being changed - up from 63,345 grades in 2016.
This was partly attributed to a significant increase in the number of GCSE entries in certain subjects this year, but variations in some exam boards' efforts to embed the revised rules for reviews were also uncovered, suggesting that certain boards have not done enough to change old practices and adapt to the new rules.
Sally Collier, chief regulator of Ofqual, said: "We are currently looking at where more could and should be done and will consider what form of regulatory action may be appropriate. We will not require exam boards to reconsider the outcomes of the reviews they have undertaken this year, so students' awards following review will stand."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£95 - 105 per day
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Northampton
Description
Are you passionate about motivate students who may find aspects of learning challenging? Do you want every student to be able to reach their full potential? then this could be the role for you,TP is l
Reference
23Northants
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£30k - 40k per year
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Northampton
Description
SEN Teacher Location: Northampton Salary: £30,000 to £40,000 (Based on teaching experience) Plus valuable Benefits Full Time/PermanentTeaching Personnel are excited to have the opportunity to work wit
Reference
progressSENnortham12
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£13.75 - 15.00 per hour
Location free text
Darwen
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Darwen
Description
Cover Supervisor – Secondary Schools, Darwen Full-Time Role | Through Teaching PersonnelAre you looking to take your first steps into a career in education, or are you an experienced classroom practit
Reference
1809CSBB3
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£21k - 23k per year
Location free text
New Ferry
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Merseyside
Description
Teaching Assistant Salary: £21324.16 Plus valuable Benefits Location: New Ferry Vacancy Type: Permanent/Full Time Teaching Personnel have an exciting opportunity to work with a an Alternative provis
Reference
progressteachassNF
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£30k - 40k per year
Location free text
High Wycombe
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
High Wycombe
Description
Community Teacher Location – High Wycombe Salary - £30,000 - £40,000 Full time permanent positionTeaching Personnel have a great opportunity to work with an Alternative provision school in High Wycomb
Reference
progresscomtHWC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£30k - 40k per year
Location free text
Thrapston
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
SEN Teacher Location – Thrapston Permanent/Full Time Salary - £30,000 to £40,000 (Based on teaching experience) Plus valuable BenefitsTeaching Personnel have a great opportunity to work with a Alterna
Reference
progressSENTeacthrap
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£21k - 23k per year
Location free text
Gorton
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Teaching Assistant Salary: £21324.16 Plus valuable Benefits Location: Gorton Vacancy Type: Permanent/Full Time Teaching Personnel have an exciting opportunity to work with a an Alternative provisio
Reference
progressgortonTAsch
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Sheffield
Description
Looking to come out of the Classroom and teach 1:1?Why TP Tutors?As we enter the spring term, it’s the perfect time to make an impact on secondary students’ education. At TP Tutors, we’re passionate a
Reference
10SFSheffMaths18/09
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
Market related
Location free text
Northampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Northampton
Description
Are you a dedicated, enthusiastic professional who has a passion for Maths and engaging learners this could be the role for you.TP has an exciting opportunity for a Maths teacher who is committed to c
Reference
22Northants
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£168.80 - 232.57 per day
Location free text
Camborne
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Design and Technology
Location
Cornwall
Description
About the roleDesign and Technology Teacher Location – CamborneContract Type – Full Time, Temporary (32.5 hours)Working Hours – 8:30am - 3:30pm, Monday - FridayStarting – October 2025Salary - £168.80
Reference
TS021240
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Cornwall PrimaryAuthor
Cornwall PrimaryRelated posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job