GCSE 'downgrade' discussed by Jersey head teachers

About 1,000 pupils sat GCSE exams in Jersey in 2012

Jersey's school head teachers are meeting over fears that GCSE English results were deliberately downgraded.

The Director of Education Mario Lundy said early indications showed a number of pupils in English were expected to do better than they did.

Some teachers have said the minimum requirement for a C in English had gone up by 10 marks during the year.

A number of exam boards are being investigated including AQA - the board which sets Jersey's English exams.

'Analyzing the results'

The number of Jersey pupils who got A* to C in at least five GCSEs including English and maths fell in 2012, with 54% of pupils achieving that mark compared with 58% in 2011.

Mr Lundy believes some island pupils deserve another chance to sit the exam.

He said: "The early indications are that we are affected by the downgrading, we don't know the extent of this just yet.

"Schools will be analyzing the results and will meet at the end of the first week of the new term to discuss the issues."