Newspaper headlines: Exams U-turn after ‘Williamson caves in’
Unsurprisingly the government U-turn on A-level results dominates the morning papers. The i newspaper says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has caved in over the “grades fiasco”. It carries a picture of celebrating pupils after the government reversed its decision to use an algorithm rather than teachers’ assessments to give students their results after the coronavirus pandemic caused exams to be cancelled.
“Sack the clown” is how the Daily Star refers to Mr Williamson as it mocks him up with a hat and red nose. It accuses the cabinet minister of being unable “to organise a booze up in a brewery” and says he has caused “untold worry to a generation of schoolkids” as it advertises his job.
“Another fine mess” is how the Daily Mail has headlined its story. The paper says the government has made a “humiliating U-turn” on exams and has been a fiasco for the Tories. It asks why the education secretary is still in the job and when the prime minister will “get a grip”.
The Daily Mirror says “this is no way to run a country” as the tabloid attacks the prime minister over the A-levels “fiasco”. The paper describes Boris Johnson as “blundering” and says he did “another screeching U-turn”.
“Williamson shifts blame on to exam watchdog” is the Daily Telegraph’s take on the story. It says he faces calls to resign after apologising to students. But it says he has blamed Ofqual, and quotes him saying he had been “constantly reassured” by senior officials at the regulator that the system was fair.
The Guardian says the “humiliating U-turn” has left thousands of pupils in limbo. The government is set to lift the cap on university places but the paper says vice-chancellors have warned they will not have space to accommodate everyone, leaving students “scrambling” for their first choice courses.
The Times also says there will be a scramble for university places following the government’s U-turn. Sketch writer Quentin Letts says the political class of 2020 have shown “world-beating ineptitude”.
The Daily Express says exam changes are a “victory for common sense”. The paper says Mr Johnson ordered his education secretary to scrap the algorithm used to calculate results after a “deafening outcry”. Its front page also carries a picture of Madonna after she celebrated her birthday on Sunday.
“Pupils force exams U-turn” is the Metro’s headline as it also leads on the changes to exam results.
The Financial Times says the exams climbdown is the latest in a series of “U-turns” following a public outcry, citing the changes to free school meals over the summer which came after a campaign led by footballer Marcus Rashford. The paper also carries a story about private equity manager Carlyle telling staff to avoid using public transport when they return to the office next month.
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