Ofqual to probe GCSE grades
The Labour Party has welcomed the decision of exams regulator Ofqual to "look closely" at the way examiners awarded marks for this summer's GCSE exams.
Regulator Glenys Stacey said in a letter to the National Association of Head Teachers there was a "question" lying over how the grade bands were set.
"We recognise the continuing concerns among students, parents and teachers about this year's GCSE English results," Ms Stacy wrote. "We will look closely at how the results were arrived at. We will do this quickly, but thoroughly."
Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg welcomed Ofqual's decision but said he would still urge an independent parliamentary inquiry "to find out what happened to cause this fiasco in the first place".
Head teachers have written to to the Education Secretary asking for an inquiry into the fall in GCSE grades.
The National Association of Head Teachers wrote to Michael Gove after it was inundated with calls on the subject of grade boundary changes.
Exam boards confirmed grade boundaries had been raised by as much as 10%, often halfway through the year.
Shadow education minister Karen Buck said there was a "coalition of anxiety" over the disappointing results.
One large chain of academies, the Academies Enterprise Trust, is planning a legal challenge against the Government over the shift.