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Extra week to re-mark English papers

A dozen pupils had exam results raised by two or more grades following re-marking
A dozen pupils had exam results raised by two or more grades following re-marking A dozen pupils had exam results raised by two or more grades following re-marking

ENGLISH literature GCSE and AS-level re-marking is to be re-opened for another week, the head of the north's exams board has said.

It follows complaints about the marking of some papers.

A dozen pupils had exam results raised by two or more grades following re-marking of some GCSE and AS-level papers.

CCEA chief executive Justin Edwards said English literature had been particularly affected because answers were subjective.

There were 640,947 entries across GCSE, AS and A-level in the north this year and almost 13,000 re-mark requests.

One pupil was originally given a D grade but increased to an A after a re-mark, according to the BBC's Nolan Show.

Mr Edwards said he now planned to re-open the marking review process until October 17 for GCSE and AS-level English literature.

"I'm reopening it because I want to give the public the confidence that if they feel they've missed the opportunity, then let's be open and fair," he said.

The cost of re-marking can range from £18 to £36.

Sinn Féin education spokeswoman Karen Mullan said re-grading should be made affordable for all pupils.

"This is a welcome move from CCEA which will hopefully help restore confidence in the examinations process by enabling re-assessments for students who feel they were inaccurately marked," she said.

"I would also call on schools to work with CCEA to ensure there is no financial barrier to pupils from low-income families accessing this service."