‘It wasn’t an error’: Ofqual boss defends regulator after withdrawn data row
‘It wasn’t an error’: Ofqual boss defends regulator after withdrawn data row
Ian Bauckham says data apparently showing soaring extra time in A-levels and GCSEs was misunderstood, not wrong
England’s chief regulator of exams has put up a staunch defence of Ofqual after it was forced to withdraw a decade of statistics detailing the number of students granted extra time and other assistance for A-levels and GCSEs.
In his first interview with a national media organisation since his permanent appointment as head of Ofqual, and just weeks after the data was dramatically pulled, Sir Ian Bauckham said there had been no error in the figures, blaming instead the way they had been interpreted. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 4:09 AM
‘It wasn’t an error’: Ofqual boss defends regulator after withdrawn data row
The Ofqual results analysis tools give some fascinating data about the A Level results including past data....
analytics.ofqual.gov.uk
analytics.ofqual.gov.uk
August 16, 2024 at 5:59 AM
The Ofqual results analysis tools give some fascinating data about the A Level results including past data....
analytics.ofqual.gov.uk
analytics.ofqual.gov.uk
I’ve sent a formal complaint to Ofqual. I too strongly urge you to raise complaints to both Pearson & Ofqual, regardless of viewpoint.
Ofqual: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk
Pearson: customersupport.reply@pearson.com +44 (0)344 463 2535
Ofqual: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk
Pearson: customersupport.reply@pearson.com +44 (0)344 463 2535
June 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I’ve sent a formal complaint to Ofqual. I too strongly urge you to raise complaints to both Pearson & Ofqual, regardless of viewpoint.
Ofqual: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk
Pearson: customersupport.reply@pearson.com +44 (0)344 463 2535
Ofqual: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk
Pearson: customersupport.reply@pearson.com +44 (0)344 463 2535
Smartglasses and earpieces may worsen exam cheating in schools, says Ofqual
Smartglasses and earpieces may worsen exam cheating in schools, says Ofqual
Stronger checks likely to be needed in England to safeguard reputation of GCSE, AS and A-levels, says Ian Bauckham
Cheating in exams could be magnified by the new generation of wearable hi-tech devices such as smartglasses or invisible earpieces, according to England’s qualifications watchdog.
Ian Bauckham, the head of the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), also revealed that GCSEs and A-level courses in England were being scrutinised over potential AI use in students’ coursework, after teachers said they were struggling to detect it. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 4, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Smartglasses and earpieces may worsen exam cheating in schools, says Ofqual
This is my email to Ofqual about the recent #ALevelMaths Edexcel Paper 2, with their response. Please could as many of you as possible contact Ofqual, in the hope that they will be persuaded to act? Email addresses are: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk, Public.Enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk #MathsToday
June 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
This is my email to Ofqual about the recent #ALevelMaths Edexcel Paper 2, with their response. Please could as many of you as possible contact Ofqual, in the hope that they will be persuaded to act? Email addresses are: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk, Public.Enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk #MathsToday
'Amid complaints from pupils of writing fatigue in exams because their hand muscles “are not strong enough”, Ofqual is launching a three-month public consultation about the introduction of onscreen assessments.'
Perhaps this is not quite all of the rationale... 1/2
Perhaps this is not quite all of the rationale... 1/2
Some GCSEs and A-levels in England could be taken on laptops by 2030, Ofqual says
Qualifications watchdog launches consultation amid complaints from pupils about writing fatigue in exams
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:14 AM
'Amid complaints from pupils of writing fatigue in exams because their hand muscles “are not strong enough”, Ofqual is launching a three-month public consultation about the introduction of onscreen assessments.'
Perhaps this is not quite all of the rationale... 1/2
Perhaps this is not quite all of the rationale... 1/2
Ofqual admits massively exaggerating number of students getting exam assistance
Ofqual admits massively exaggerating number of students getting exam assistance
Regulator for England withdraws statistics for students receiving assistance in A-Level and GCSE exams going back to 2014
The exam regulator for England has admitted to massively exaggerating how many students are granted extra time and other assistance while taking A-levels and GCSEs, a subject that has sparked controversy in recent years.
Ofqual announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing its official statistics for assistance in exams going back to 2014, saying that “the published figures significantly overstated the number of students receiving access arrangements”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Ofqual admits massively exaggerating number of students getting exam assistance
America learned about the UK’s Ofqual debacle of 2020 and is like “hold my beer, bro.”
April 5, 2026 at 2:14 AM
America learned about the UK’s Ofqual debacle of 2020 and is like “hold my beer, bro.”
Pearson has been fined over £2m for 3 serious breaches of Ofqual regulations.
Pearson, which many may know via the Edexcel exam board they own, has breaches relating to a GCSE English exam, a series of A-level Chinese exams and an online English language test.
Pearson has 4 previous fines.
Pearson, which many may know via the Edexcel exam board they own, has breaches relating to a GCSE English exam, a series of A-level Chinese exams and an online English language test.
Pearson has 4 previous fines.
Ofqual fines Pearson £2 million for rule breaches affecting thousands of students
Exam board issued more than £2 million in combined penalties for breaking Ofqual regulations in 3 cases.
www.gov.uk
December 15, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Pearson has been fined over £2m for 3 serious breaches of Ofqual regulations.
Pearson, which many may know via the Edexcel exam board they own, has breaches relating to a GCSE English exam, a series of A-level Chinese exams and an online English language test.
Pearson has 4 previous fines.
Pearson, which many may know via the Edexcel exam board they own, has breaches relating to a GCSE English exam, a series of A-level Chinese exams and an online English language test.
Pearson has 4 previous fines.
incredible that 42% of students enrolled in independent schools received extra time in GCSE and A-level exams in the 2023-24 academic year
compared with 26% of pupils in non-selective state schools, according to data published by Ofqual
compared with 26% of pupils in non-selective state schools, according to data published by Ofqual
Financial TimesFinancial Times
News, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics
FT.com
November 12, 2024 at 11:22 AM
incredible that 42% of students enrolled in independent schools received extra time in GCSE and A-level exams in the 2023-24 academic year
compared with 26% of pupils in non-selective state schools, according to data published by Ofqual
compared with 26% of pupils in non-selective state schools, according to data published by Ofqual
Some GCSEs and A-levels in England could be taken on laptops by 2030, Ofqual says
Some GCSEs and A-levels in England could be taken on laptops by 2030, Ofqual says
Qualifications watchdog launches consultation amid complaints from pupils about writing fatigue in exams
Students could be sitting some of their GCSEs and A-levels on a laptop by the end of the decade, according to England’s qualifications watchdog.
Amid complaints from pupils of writing fatigue in exams because their hand muscles “are not strong enough”, Ofqual is launching a three-month public consultation about the introduction of onscreen assessments. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Some GCSEs and A-levels in England could be taken on laptops by 2030, Ofqual says
What’s going on with exam access arrangements? And why is their prevalence in private schools so much higher than state schools?
The answer? More data is needed…
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-inves...
The answer? More data is needed…
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-inves...
Ofqual investigates extra exam time at private schools
Forty-two per cent of private school pupils get extra time, compared to 26.5 per cent of state pupils
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 17, 2024 at 5:53 PM
What’s going on with exam access arrangements? And why is their prevalence in private schools so much higher than state schools?
The answer? More data is needed…
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-inves...
The answer? More data is needed…
schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-inves...
New @hepi-news.bsky.social report shows continued fall in foreign language study in England at A-level.
Language teacher recruitment consistently falls well below government targets – in 2024, just 43% of the target was reached.
on.ft.com/4l5SYX4
(Full report www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/31/n...)
Language teacher recruitment consistently falls well below government targets – in 2024, just 43% of the target was reached.
on.ft.com/4l5SYX4
(Full report www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/31/n...)
Students in England shun foreign languages at A-level, report finds
Ofqual figures show a sharp fall in pupils taking exams in French and German
on.ft.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:40 AM
New @hepi-news.bsky.social report shows continued fall in foreign language study in England at A-level.
Language teacher recruitment consistently falls well below government targets – in 2024, just 43% of the target was reached.
on.ft.com/4l5SYX4
(Full report www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/31/n...)
Language teacher recruitment consistently falls well below government targets – in 2024, just 43% of the target was reached.
on.ft.com/4l5SYX4
(Full report www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/31/n...)
Relevant to anyone teaching at an English university and thus under Ofqual jurisdiction. Ofqual on 16 July updated its AI guidance. New guidance includes: 'Ofqual states that certain uses of AI do not meet its requirements and should not be used'. 1/2
Ofqual’s approach to regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the qualifications sector
www.gov.uk
July 27, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Relevant to anyone teaching at an English university and thus under Ofqual jurisdiction. Ofqual on 16 July updated its AI guidance. New guidance includes: 'Ofqual states that certain uses of AI do not meet its requirements and should not be used'. 1/2
Interesting to note from Ofqual Analytics that A level Maths appears to get less popular as an option the further you get from London. Another job for #No10North
August 13, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Interesting to note from Ofqual Analytics that A level Maths appears to get less popular as an option the further you get from London. Another job for #No10North
I would really encourage as many people as possible to complain to Ofqual about the Edexcel Paper 2 (Pearson/Edexcel are in blanket denial of any wrong doing mode). You can either use the Ofqual email addresses given here, or use their website to complain. #MathsToday #ALevelMaths
I’ve sent a formal complaint to Ofqual. I too strongly urge you to raise complaints to both Pearson & Ofqual, regardless of viewpoint.
Ofqual: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk
Pearson: customersupport.reply@pearson.com +44 (0)344 463 2535
Ofqual: complaints@ofqual.gov.uk public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk
Pearson: customersupport.reply@pearson.com +44 (0)344 463 2535
June 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I would really encourage as many people as possible to complain to Ofqual about the Edexcel Paper 2 (Pearson/Edexcel are in blanket denial of any wrong doing mode). You can either use the Ofqual email addresses given here, or use their website to complain. #MathsToday #ALevelMaths
I’m old enough to remember when AQA used to routinely promise this by 2025
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Some GCSEs and A-levels in England could be taken on laptops by 2030, Ofqual says
Qualifications watchdog launches consultation amid complaints from pupils about writing fatigue in exams
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:11 AM
I’m old enough to remember when AQA used to routinely promise this by 2025
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Exam board Pearson fined £2m for ‘serious’ breaches in standards
Exam board Pearson fined £2m for ‘serious’ breaches in standards
Ofqual issues fines over English proficiency test which some candidates sat at home, A-level Chinese and GCSE English
One of the world’s biggest providers of educational services has been fined more than £2m for a range of serious breaches related to examination standards that could have affected tens of thousands of students.
Pearson, a FTSE 100 listed company, was hit by financial penalties of £750,000 for each of two cases and £505,000 for a third by Ofqual, the exams regulator. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Exam board Pearson fined £2m for ‘serious’ breaches in standards
BJ "Ofqual came up with this system, and I was not expert enough to comment..."
"Yes I regret... I take responsibility for..."
12/
"Yes I regret... I take responsibility for..."
12/
October 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
BJ "Ofqual came up with this system, and I was not expert enough to comment..."
"Yes I regret... I take responsibility for..."
12/
"Yes I regret... I take responsibility for..."
12/
Contributing to a 20% fall in admissions to university language and area studies courses in the past five years. Not at all good news.
Students in England shun foreign languages at A-level, report finds
Ofqual figures show a sharp fall in pupils taking exams in French and German
www.ft.com
July 31, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Contributing to a 20% fall in admissions to university language and area studies courses in the past five years. Not at all good news.
Ofwat, Ofqual, Ofsted, Ofgem... all a bunch of useless bastards put in place to fig-leaf profiteering with the illusion of regulation (yes, even in "state" education, now in the hands of hundreds of "trusts").
Scrap it ALL. It's a vicious, grim, harmful failure, all the way down.
Scrap it ALL. It's a vicious, grim, harmful failure, all the way down.
'The exam regulator for England has admitted to massively exaggerating how many students are granted extra time and other assistance while taking A-levels and GCSEs, a subject that has sparked controversy in recent years.'
This is not a good look. 1/3
This is not a good look. 1/3
Ofqual admits massively exaggerating number of students getting exam assistance
Regulator for England withdraws statistics for students receiving assistance in A-Level and GCSE exams going back to 2014
www.theguardian.com
July 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Ofwat, Ofqual, Ofsted, Ofgem... all a bunch of useless bastards put in place to fig-leaf profiteering with the illusion of regulation (yes, even in "state" education, now in the hands of hundreds of "trusts").
Scrap it ALL. It's a vicious, grim, harmful failure, all the way down.
Scrap it ALL. It's a vicious, grim, harmful failure, all the way down.
It has:
*grade boundaries
*results statistics
*analysis from edu media
*links to access exam papers
*links to teacher/centre access
*Ofqual/DfE info
*How grades work
Anything else that might be useful?
*grade boundaries
*results statistics
*analysis from edu media
*links to access exam papers
*links to teacher/centre access
*Ofqual/DfE info
*How grades work
Anything else that might be useful?
For new followers, the link to this document will be shared as a live document on Thursday and updated as the exam boards add info.
Free to all!
Free to all!
Getting ready for Thursday….
August 13, 2024 at 5:40 PM
It has:
*grade boundaries
*results statistics
*analysis from edu media
*links to access exam papers
*links to teacher/centre access
*Ofqual/DfE info
*How grades work
Anything else that might be useful?
*grade boundaries
*results statistics
*analysis from edu media
*links to access exam papers
*links to teacher/centre access
*Ofqual/DfE info
*How grades work
Anything else that might be useful?
A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics entry numbers and grade distributions by centre type for England, 2026 (source: Ofqual Analytics)
August 17, 2026 at 10:53 AM
A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics entry numbers and grade distributions by centre type for England, 2026 (source: Ofqual Analytics)
Lucy Powell on #Today claiming that KS4 Tech Awards are not regulated by Ofqual and don't count towards school performance measures, suggesting she's not entirely on top of her brief.
Summer 2026 technical awards awarding data reporting
www.gov.uk
September 24, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Lucy Powell on #Today claiming that KS4 Tech Awards are not regulated by Ofqual and don't count towards school performance measures, suggesting she's not entirely on top of her brief.
We need to be asking questions if people are producing hit lists … or it’s based on what students have said. I’d hate to think their schools released the papers early
From ofqual ⬇️⬇️⬇️
From ofqual ⬇️⬇️⬇️
May 14, 2026 at 2:16 PM
We need to be asking questions if people are producing hit lists … or it’s based on what students have said. I’d hate to think their schools released the papers early
From ofqual ⬇️⬇️⬇️
From ofqual ⬇️⬇️⬇️