A-level students in UAE celebrate top scores despite 'new' grading model

Thousands of British curriculum pupils across the UAE celebrated their A-level results on Thursday. Unlike previous years, these results have been estimated after exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
To determine the grades, a statistical model was used by the exam watchdog Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). However, despite the enormous pressures they have been subjected over the last few months, UAE schools are reporting their students have scored grades higher than previous year's results.
Educators said the new model considered a number of factors, including pupils' attainment, schools' previous performance, and the predicted grades that teachers submitted in March.
Simon Corns, headmaster of Brighton College - Abu Dhabi, said: "This school year has required extraordinary levels of resilience from pupils, parents and staff, and it is a massive tribute to everyone in the school community that our results are even better than last year."

Forty-five point four per cent of all grades achieved this year were A* - A, 70.7 per cent of grades achieved were A* - B, 89.3 per cent of the grades achieved were A* - C, said Corns. "We are extremely proud of the hard work and diligence of its UAE national pupils who have achieved 59 per cent A*- B and 88 per cent A* - C grades," he added.

Brighton College - Al Ain pupils are celebrating an overall pass rate of 97 per cent, with pupils achieving 18.2 per cent A* grades, 42.4 per cent A*- A grades and 74.2 per cent A*- B grades.

More than 790 pupils from 14 GEMS Education British curriculum schools in the UAE completed over 2,200 A Levels. Twenty-seven per cent of students achieved an A* grade, while 62 per cent of entries attained A* to B grades and 37 per cent recorded A* to A. "We are extremely proud of the performance of our A-level students. These impressive results - in what has been a very challenging year - reflect resilience, diligence and rigour in their approach to learning," said Jodh Singh Dhesi, deputy chief education officer at GEMS Education Aldar Academies, part of Aldar Education announced record grades for its 2020 A-level results, with more than one in three students achieving A* - A across all subjects. "The outstanding results are the highest to date for A-level students within Aldar Academies, with 99.3 per cent of students passing all subjects and 85.6 per cent of students achieving a pass level of A* - C," said Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education.

At Horizon International School, 29 exam entries were awarded A*- A, and 75 per cent of entries achieved A*- C grades. The school has scored an overall pass rate (A*- E) of 100 per cent. "It has been a year like no other in education with the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in one of the most crucial times for examination classes. Our students and staff have shown resilience and determination to succeed," said Darren Gale, the school principal.

Ninety per cent of the English College in Dubai students have achieved A*-C grades across all their subjects. Matthew Burfield, vice-president, education and principal, GEMS Founders School, Dubai, said: "We want to celebrate our students' success and wish all of them the best as they leave to universities."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com