Secondary schools across the island are set to appeal en masse after exam results were downgraded by statistical models.

At Ramsey Grammar School, 90 per cent of all A-Level grades in mathematics and physics were downgraded.

Criticism has focused on the Cambridge International exam board which released its iGCSE, AS-Level and A-Level results on Tuesday morning to a mixture of disbelief and derision by teachers, parents and education officials.

This year’s exams were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic and results were calculated from the recommended results submitted by the school’s teachers - known as centre assessed grades - combined with statistical modelling.

’In our opinion, the results as they stand aren’t valid,’ RGS head teacher Annette Baker told the Courier.

’The centre assessed grades included mock results, coursework and everything the teachers knew about the work of their students over time.’

’It’s completely unacceptable that the teacher assessed grades have not been accepted by the exam boards.’

Assistant head teacher Will Wood said that it had been the worst week of his teaching career: ’I can’t understand how a flawed mathematical model can be trusted over the knowledge of teachers and even external assessment,’ he said.

’Students have AS Level results that have been completely discounted.’

The school has begun an appeal on behalf of all their students in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Meanwhile the Courier can reveal that all five of the island’s high schools are preparing to lodge appeals over the grading of entire A-Level subjects, with the support of the Department of Education.

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson publicly apologised to students, teachers and parents on Thursday morning.

’This was all completely avoidable,’ he told the Courier.

’The exam boards have had six months to plan for today.

’I just feel sorry for the students who have had to endure so much over the last few months,’ he added.

The department has temporarily lowered the grades needed to qualify for students award funding from the government, and Dr Allinson said that universities were taking a more flexible approach to admissions: ’From what we’ve seen so far, the universities seem to be more understanding than the examination boards.’

Mrs Baker said: ’Thankfully the universities have been very understanding of the situations that our students are finding themselves in, and we’ve had some very positive outcomes.

’But there are some disappointments, which we will be challenging.’