ONE of the district's headteachers has branded a decision to include mock exams in the A-level appeal system as "bizarre".

But Kieran McGrane, headteacher of Ponteland High School, said it would benefit some of his students. 

Mr McGrane spoke out after revealing Ponteland's overall picture was in line with previous years, with 25 per cent of all grades awarded A*-A or equivalent; 50 per cent A*-B, and 70 per cent A*-C.

He said: "The late decision to include mock exam grades within the appeal system is bizarre but will be welcomed by a number of our students as approximately 55 per cent of them will see an increase in at least one subject grade, assuming that the appeal system, as yet unclear, affords them this reprieve. 
"The concern about using mock exams is that they are conducted in very different ways across schools. Some have two to three mock exams in Year 13, some have open book mock exam, some have external invigilators, some don’t."
Mr McGrane praised staff for putting together Centre Assessment Grades (CAGs), and Year 13 students for the way they have achieved during such an unprecedented year. 
He added: "We want to pay tribute to our wonderful Year 13 cohort whose last year with us has been so blighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in school closures since mid-March and the cancellation of public exams. This was not the way we would have wished them to finish their five years with us. 
"They have been fantastic ambassadors during their time with us and have added greatly to our school community and culture. They have been excellent role models for our younger students.
"We know that this year group was set to have a brilliant year and predicted to achieve better than any previous cohort.

"It is so disappointing that they were not able to do just that by sitting their exams and proving this beyond any doubt.

In putting together Centre Assessment Grades (CAGs) and rank orders, staff were aware of how well we expected this year group to perform and this was reflected in the data submitted to the various exam boards."