All teacher-awarded grades to be reinstated as pressure grows in England; Scottish football games axed after lockdown breachesPressure grows on ministers over England A-level results ‘mess’Do teenagers spread coronavirus more than young children?Eat out to help out used 10.5m times in scheme’s first weekGlobal coronavirus updates – live 3.59pm BST Here’s the full text of Swinney’s statement, which the Guardian’s education editor Richard Adams calls “massive”.A couple of key passages, firstly setting out the justification for the decision:Firstly, we were concerned that grade inflation - through accepting the original estimates from teachers – would run the risk of undermining the value of qualifications in 2020. In the light of events, and of listening to young people, we now accept that concern, which is not without foundation, is outweighed by the concern that young people, particularly from working class backgrounds may lose faith in the Education system and form the view that no matter how hard you work, the system is against you. Education is the route out of poverty for young people in deprived communities and we cannot risk allowing that view to take hold.I can confirm to Parliament today that all downgraded awards will be withdrawn.Using powers available to me in the Education (Scotland) Act 1996, I am today directing the SQA to re-issue those awards based solely on teacher or lecturer judgement. 3.43pm BST Former Scottish conservative leader Ruth Davidson has called for Swinney’s resignation on Twitter:A total U-turn on the position Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney had doubled down on for days. Welcome relief for pupils who've been put through the wringer. But be in no doubt, this is a shambles & an honourable man would have offered his resignation.
https://t.co/ujh6J2k0Rm @JohnSwinney has announced that downgraded SQA results for Scottish pupils are to be replaced by teachers estimations to ensure that individuals will not be penalised. The @scotgov have listened to the feedback of young people and taken action to address their concerns. pic.twitter.com/xpF6l1sOqNEveryone’s a winner - except for the Scottish exam system itself. By removing consistency across years, isn’t the Higher currency being downgraded? And what if there are no exams in 2021? Teachers will know their results will stand, so no penalty for grade inflation.
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/aug/11/uk-coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates-a-level-exams