Canlyniadau Safon Uwch ac Uwch Gyfrannol
Ni allwn orbwysleisio cymaint yw ein siom, ein dryswch a’n pryder am y canlyniadau Safon Uwch ac Uwch Gyfrannol a gafodd ein hoedolion ifanc heddiw.
Er bod data cenedlaethol ar gyfer Cymru yn dangos ychydig o welliant, nid yw hyn yn adlewyrchu yn llawn y realiti mewn ysgolion. Mae gwahaniaethau mawr yn neilliannau unigolion nad oes modd i ni eu holrhain, eu cyfiawnhau na’u hegluro. Mae graddau disgyblion wedi symud i fyny ac i lawr, mewn ffyrdd nad ydym yn gallu eu hamgyffred.
Gofynnwyd i ysgolion ystyried yr holl ddata o’r profion mewnol ac allanol i restru, mewn trefn, graddau dysgwyr wedi’u hasesu gan ganolfan. Gwnaethom hyn gyda phroffesiynoldeb a thegwch i’r myfyrwyr y buom yn eu cefnogi am y saith mlynedd diwethaf. Mewn llawer o feysydd, cafodd y data hwn ei wrthod, ei ddibrisio a’i ddiystyru. Diystyrwyd ein rhestri ni a symudwyd myfyrwyr oddi mewn iddynt, gan olygu bod y dyraniad gradd yn amhosibl i’w ddirnad ac yn annheg.
Mae llawer o brifysgolion wedi israddio eu cynigion oherwydd absenoldeb myfyrwyr rhyngwladol. Felly mae mwy o lefydd ar gael, ac yn ffodus, bydd cymaint o’r oedolion ifanc yn gallu mynd i’r brifysgol o’u dewis. Fodd bynnag, nid yw hyn yn ddigon. Bydd graddau ein disgyblion yn aros gyda nhw am weddill eu hoes, byddant ar eu CV am byth. Maent eisoes dan anfantais oherwydd COVID-19, ond bydd bywyd ar ôl COVID, mewn gwlad sydd yn wynebu dirwasgiad, yn golygu y bydd eu deilliannau hyd yn oed yn bwysicach nag erioed wrth iddynt gamu i farchnad lafur heriol. Gweithiodd ein myfyrwyr am y graddau hyn, ac maent yn deilwng ohonynt; mae algorithm sydd yn diystyru hyn yn anfoesol. Nawr oedd yr amser i ymddiried, fwy nag erioed.
Addawyd i’r proffesiwn y byddai trafodaeth ynglŷn ag unrhyw anghysondeb mewn data ysgol, er mwyn caniatáu i ysgolion ddarparu tystiolaeth i gyfiawnhau’r graddau wedi’u hasesu gan ganolfan. Ni ddigwyddodd hyn – ni roddwyd cyfle i ni ddarparu tystiolaeth ac nid oes unrhyw sgwrs wedi bod. Model ystadegol oedd hwn, yn or-ddibynnol ar ddeilliannau Uwch Gyfrannol a data hanesyddol, ac yn ddiystyriol o farn proffesiwn a fu’n cefnogi eu myfyrwyr dros lawer o flynyddoedd.
Roeddem yn ddiolchgar am gyhoeddiad CBAC ynglŷn ag adolygu’r system apêl a honno’n anymarferol fel ag y mae hi, ac yn cyfyngu ar ein gallu i herio annhegwch y deilliannau hyn. Diwrnod canlyniadau Safon Uwch yw un o’r rhai hapusaf yn y flwyddyn, fel arfer. Eleni, roedd ein plant wedi’u brifo a’u drysu, ac yn pendroni beth aeth o’i le, fel ninnau.
Mae canlyniadau’r wythnos hon wedi herio ein hyder yn y system ac yn gwneud i ni amau’r strwythur yr oeddem gynt yn ymddiried ynddi; er hynny, nid oes geiriau i ddisgrifio ein hofnau am ganlyniadau TGAU wythnos nesaf. Gofynnwn am newidiadau i ddigwydd nawr i amddiffyn cyfleoedd bywyd a lles ein plant, ac osgoi’r dryswch a’r tor-calon y bu’n rhaid i’n myfyrwyr Safon Uwch wynebu.
Nodyn i Olygyddion
Dyfyniadau i gefnogi’r datganiad uchod:
“Whilst we are pleased with many of the results our learners have been awarded and that a national standardisation model is necessary, there are nonetheless some results which bear little or no resemblance to the grades awarded by the Centre. This is disappointing to the school and distressing for our learners.”
Mrs Sarah Sutton, Pennaeth, Ysgol Eirias. general@eirias.conwy.sch.uk neu 01492 532025.
“Within every system confidence is only gained where fairness and consistency is seen. This system has generated numerous inconsistencies and grades that can’t be traced back to the data schools hold. It can never be forgotten that every inconsistency is a child whose life has been turned upside by an algorithm and this cannot be allowed to happen. It is unjust and immoral and our children deserve better.”
Claire Armitstead, Pennaeth, Rhyl High School. csa@rhylhigh.co.uk
“I am a proud Welshman and take my responsibility to all our school children and young adults as though they were my own. This has been the most difficult time in a generation and I accept the complexity of trying to put a fair system in place. However, what I saw yesterday was a group of young people who weren’t quite sure how to handle the situation. Furthermore, I am worried that the fact that there was flexibility in the University admissions system meaning that everyone got a place led to a broad acceptance of a situation that frankly was unacceptable for some. These grades remain with them for life and many walked away without questioning them.”
Aaron Bayley, Pennaeth, Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones. YSTJPEN@ynysmon.gov.uk
“At a time of economic crisis and spiralling unemployment, I had hoped that the interests of our young people would come first. Regrettably, students have been disregarded, downgraded and simply told ‘computer says no’.
It is deeply regrettable that here in Wales, leaders have not had the courage of their convictions to follow the outstanding example set in Scotland where young people have been put first. Trust and confidence in Welsh Government, Qualifications Wales and WJEC is now at an all-time low and I appeal to them to make decisive changes ahead of the GCSE results next week.”
Geraint Parry, Pennaeth, Ysgol Brynhyfryd. gparry@ysgolbrynhyfryd.co.uk
“As a school we are deeply upset and saddened by the grading system which has resulted in many of our young peoples’ lives being devastated. We have seen so many inexplicable inconsistencies between the final grades awarded to pupils, which in some instances have dropped several grades in relation to the data presented by the school at both A and AS level. We are particularly concerned about how this will adversely have an impact on the lives and prospects of our students in comparison to the rest of the country. I find this unjust and unacceptable.”
Ellen Williams, Pennaeth, Ysgol Brynrefail. eaw@brynrefail.gwynedd.sch.uk
“A-Level results day is usually a joyous and wonderful occasion with proud parents and teachers celebrating the student’s achievements. Results day this year was a day of sadness, anxiety and confusion. The thoughtless, unfair and carless way by which the A-level results have been allocated to my 6th form students this year is disgraceful. Many of the grades allocated bear no resemblance to our centre assessed grades or the past performance of the school. The harmful way the grades have been generated alongside last minute changes in policy have just gone to highlight what an utter mess the whole system is in. I am now extremely worried for our GCSE pupils next week.”
Neil Foley, Pennaeth, Ysgol Uwchradd Prestatyn. nfoley@prestatynhigh.co.uk
“There have been many student successes this year, and credit should not be taken away from those individuals. However, there are very real examples of students who are being disadvantaged in their applications to Universities as result of the algorithm being used in Wales to calculate final grades when compared with their counterparts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is wholly unacceptable.”
Simon Budgen, Pennaeth – Hawarden High School (01244 526400) hhmail@hawardenhigh.flintshire.sch.uk
“WJEC empowered us as a profession to predict grades for our students this year, this was a task we completed with pride and professionalism; collating a wide variety of evidence to substantiate our Centre Assessed Grades. Many of the grades awarded on Thursday bears very little resemblance to the Grades we determined. The system has generated inconsistencies and has shown a clear lack of respect for teacher judgements. Our students were elated and confused yesterday; elated that they had been offered a place at University but confused at the results they had been awarded. Our students will be relying on these grades for years to come as they apply for jobs, grades which due to the system are not a fair reflection of their hard work over the last 18 months. This is inexcusable. “
Catrin Pritchard, Pennaeth, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd. PritchardC157@Hwbcymru.net
“Our students have worked very hard to achieve the grades they need for progression to university and employment. Whilst many have been awarded the grades they have earned there are some students whose grade is below what they deserve and what teachers assessed them as. We believe that the standardisation of results has disadvantaged some students unfairly and has prevented them from accessing their choice of university courses.”
Jane Cooper, Pennaeth, Ysgol Alun. Jane.Cooper@alun.flintshire.sch.uk
