Exam Body Recalls Released Results

Exam board to re-mark 318 English GCSE papers
following internal review
WJEC in Wales announces move after investigation
prompted by complaints reveals some unexpectedly low
marks
The WJEC exam board says its marking scheme had
been applied consistently in all but one of the cases
reviewed. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PA
Press Association
Wednesday 19 March 2014 16.34 GMT
An exam board is to re-mark more than 300 English
GCSE papers following an internal review.
The WJEC, in Wales, announced the decision after an
investigation found some marks were “unexpectedly
low”. It had been prompted amid hundreds of
complaints from headteachers after January’s new
exam, which was sat by about 22,500 pupils.
The WJEC said it found its marking scheme had been
applied “consistently” in all but one of the cases
reviewed.
Officials say six centres marked by one examiner have
been told about the situation and 318 papers will be
remarked.
The WJEC chief executive, Gareth Pierce, said: “We hope
that this review along with the Welsh government’s fact-
finding exercise provides reassurance that we are
collectively undertaking appropriate action to assess and
remedy the situation.
“WJEC remains firmly committed to supporting high
standards of education to learners in Wales, delivering
qualifications which are rigorous, fair and valued.”
WJEC officials added the number of papers that would
be re-marked was less than 1% of the total.
The National Union of Teachers Wales said it was
important the Welsh government completed its own own
review into the situation as quickly as possible.
Policy officer Owen Hathaway said: “Teachers and pupils
remain almost in a state of limbo and I am sure that
everyone involved wants to see the right course of
action taken to recognise fairly the dedication of pupils
sitting these exams and the quality of their work.”
The Welsh government said it would consider the
information provided by the WJEC.
The unit which is the subject of the investigation was
part of the first Wales-only GCSE examinations, ordered
after a split between England, Northern Ireland and
Wales in 2012.