Elgin schoolgirl expected to achieve A in exam to fight D result
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A MORAY pupil hopes to appeal an exam result after she was awarded a D grade in her "strongest subject" in which she was predicted to achieve an A.
Elgin Academy pupil Adele Williamson (15), from Deanshaugh Terrace, said she was shocked to see the final assessment of her efforts in psychology when she opened her exam results envelope on Tuesday, August 4.
She had achieved 91 per cent in her psychology prelim exam and said she consistently achieved As in her coursework.
Pupils' results this year were worked out using estimates made by teachers based on performance over the school year after exams were cancelled due to Covid-19.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) adjusted around 133,000 entries from teachers' estimates. Some 93.1 per cent of these estimates were adjusted downwards.
Adele said: "I feel I was let down and cheated after all my hard work throughout the year.
"That was my strongest subject – the one I was guaranteed to do well in. I was so disappointed and upset – as it's not just one grade down but a few grades down.
"My parents were also disappointed as they knew it was my best subject."
Adele was pleased with her exam results in other subjects, however, achieving three As and two Bs at National 5 and an A in Higher physical education.
She is hopeful of appealing the decision after contacting Moray College UHI where she studies psychology on day release from school.
She added: "Hopefully, I'll get the grade that I feel I deserve."
Adele juggles schoolwork with her training in Manchester as a member of the GB taekwondo development squad.
Meanwhile today, Moray Conservative councillor Tim Eagle (Buckie) said he had been contacted by some concerned local pupils and parents over exam results.
He has asked Moray Council officials to provide data on what the impact will be in the region after concerns were raised nationally over the SQA's methodology.
Cllr Eagle said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, rather than seeking answers, "blamed teachers for the mistake".
He added: "During a briefing on results yesterday, I asked the head of education to provide a breakdown of how the moderation process has affected young people across Moray and gain assurance that schools stand by ready to help with any appeals.
"We have been told that 67 per cent of estimates submitted received the actual grade – which means 33 per cent have been changed. That is a big number. Ninety-one per cent of results were within one band either way, but we have yet to be told whether the vast majority of those were marked down or not."
He added: "If any young person is concerned about their grades then I urge them to speak with the school and I wait with interest to see the detail on the impact across Moray."
Earlier this week Moray Labour said hundreds of local families would be left devastated after the downgrading of teachers’ exam grade estimates for pupils using the "deeply flawed" methodology.
