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A-level grades lowered under Ofqual marking system sees girl from Rainham, denied chance of medical school place at university

20:43, 14 August 2020

updated: 21:09, 14 August 2020

A-Level student Chloe Igglesden's dreams of going to medical school to train to become a doctor are shattered after she was downgraded under the government's new marking system.

Chloe was predicted top marks by UCAS and her teachers at Rainham School for Girls in biology, chemistry and psychology.

Chloe Igglesden
Chloe Igglesden

But the examining board Ofqual, brought in to "standardise" grades, awarded Chloe three Bs, jeopardising her chances of keeping a coveted place at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.

Chloe was "gutted" when she went to the school in Derwent Way to pick up her results on Thursday.

The 19-year-old said: "My mum and grandmother cried and the teachers were outraged."

Then their tears turned to anger as Chloe blamed Ofqual for being "incredibly biased towards high-achieving schools, particularly grammar and private schools".

Chloe, who lives with parents Wendy and Allen in Callams Close, Rainham, said: "I am a straight A student. I held an offer for medical school which I worked extremely hard to achieve.

Rainham School for Girls in Derwent Way where Chloe studied for her A-levels. Picture: Google
Rainham School for Girls in Derwent Way where Chloe studied for her A-levels. Picture: Google

"Now, not only have I lost my medical school offer, but my dreams of becoming a doctor have been crushed. All the hard work I have put in has been for nothing."

In October last year UCAS, which plays an important role in university decision-making, predicted she would get three As and her school assessed her with A*A and a B.

She believes that the school's previous performance in biology played a part in this year's lowering of grades.

She said: "In the past two years my school did not see any students achieving A grade or above. This meant that, despite defying the odds and achieving consistent A*/A grades in mock exams, I was capped at B."

Chloe has dreamt of being a doctor for as long as she can remember and she is the first generation in her family to consider going on to university.

She added: "This is a huge step back in universities' efforts to widen participation and make it easier for disadvantaged students to access higher education. I feel the effects of this will be detrimental."

"Not only have I lost my medical school offer, but my dreams of becoming a doctor have been crushed..."

Chloe, who is one of many Kent students to feel the impact of the changes this year, intends to appeal the results through her school which she said has been "very supportive" and, if necessary, take re-sits in October.

She contacted the admissions team at Anglia Ruskin University on Friday morning but was told her place will not be held while her appeal is being considered.

"So I’ve lost my place for this year. However, if my appealed grades meet the requirements I will have a place for next year.

"The problem is we have not been at school for six months and we haven't finished our curriculum and the last part of the module is the most difficult. So, it's going to be hard. It's so unfair, but I will do whatever it takes."

Vicky Shaw, head of school at Rainham School for Girls, said Chloe was one of several students whose grades were lowered by Ofqual.

"We believe that, had Chloe had the chance to sit her exams, she would have got the grades needed to secure a place at medical school.

"We are currently looking into the appeals process to see how we can support Chloe. In addition, should Chloe wish to, she can sit her exams in the Autumn term with us.

"Whilst many students have achieved excellent grades this year, the standardisation process taken by exam boards means that a number of students, through no fault of their own, have been denied the grades that our teachers thought they should achieve.

"However I would also like to recognise the resilience demonstrated by all our students through such challenging times."

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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