Tiering Decisions. Pupils suffer. Teachers get the blame.

The situation we find ourselves in with regard to Tier decisions for the new GCSE is unconscionable. Deciding whether to enter a pupil for Higher or Foundation Tier will have an effect on their grade. A pupil capable of getting a grade 6 will be limited to a grade 5 if entered for Foundation. A pupil who falls short on Higher is in real danger of getting a U. In a normal year, this is a tricky…