Today's demand by Tory backbenchers for a rapid solution to the crisis over this year’s A-level results, which has already inflicted disappointment and uncertainty on many thousands of young people and their families, is entirely justified and must be heeded.
The most obvious reason for this is, of course, that the future of so many students is at stake and will be affected by whatever happens over the coming days, as they wait to see whether the unexpectedly low grades they received from the algorithm system used to calculate this year’s results are upgraded or not.
Whether or not many go the university of their choice will depend on the outcome, and with courses starting relatively soon and places being filled there is no time to delay.
On top of this there are the practical problems that the prospect of mass appeals raises, with the Association of School and College Leaders warning today that so much time might have to be spent on doing the paperwork for these, that it could affect the ability of heads to reopen classes on time next month.
With courses starting relatively soon and places being filled there is no time to delay
It’s a hideous mess, and although there was never going to be a perfect solution once the coronavirus lockdown forced the cancellation of exams, the Government urgently needs to get a grip and decide whether to stick with the current results — which seems unfair — or find a new way of rapidly recalculating them.
The Evening Standard supports the latter course of action, either through basing grades on teachers’ predictions or, probably less satisfactorily, by recalibrating the algorithm to achieve more generous outcomes.
The aim should be to at least ensure that the overall balance of this year’s grades matches those of previous years. That would prevent the injustice inflicted by the current results, estimated by some to be 20 per cent down on historic averages.
But even if adjusting results ends up with more favourable grading than in the past, being kind to students in these difficult times seems a lesser problem than inflicting further damage on their lives in addition to the disruption to their education that they’ve already suffered.
If universities find themselves swamped with too many qualified applicants as a result, then the cap on admissions should be lifted too.
This country will eventually rely on today’s young students, and their futures must be protected.
Office working is vital
The chief executive of asset management firm Schroders, Peter Harrison, is doubtless congratulating himself on appearing to be up with the times after saying that his staff can work from home for good and that offices will in future become “a convening place” rather than somewhere where work is done.
But he couldn’t be more wrong.
London needs people in offices to sustain the thousands of small businesses and jobs that depend on a vibrant city centre, while young people, in particular, can benefit from the opportunity to impress senior colleagues in person and are more likely to have cramped, unsuitable working conditions at home.
Research shows too that female home workers do more of the domestic chores.
A balance between home and office can be sensible. But reviving office life must remain the objective.