GSCE results day 2023

Today on GCSE results day, thousands of students across the country anxiously await their exam results. Understandably, this is a nerve-wracking and emotional time for both students and their families.

If your results are not as expected – do not panic! There are options available if you do not get the results you hoped for and feel you have been graded unfairly. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are in England or Wales, but nevertheless, HCB are here to help should you wish to proceed. As education law specialists, we are fully equipped to support you throughout the process and are confident we can achieve the best possible results for students. 

For A-Level students in England
Your first step is to contact your school or college to challenge your grade and request a review from the exam board. The exam board will then check your work for any marking errors. If you are still unhappy, you will be able to appeal the result. Exam boards often have different deadlines for reviews, so be sure to check this.  Should you have reason to believe that the exam board did not handle the appeal correctly, you can also request a review from Ofqual. However, it is important to note that Ofqual will only consider whether the appeal was conducted correctly, and therefore will not be able to order the awarding organisation to change your grade. 

For A-Level students in Wales
The first stage is to request one of the ‘Post Results Services’ that the WJEC offer. These include: access to exam scripts, a review of marking or a clerical re-check. Your school or college must request this on your behalf unless you are a private candidate. If you are still unhappy with your grade following a review, the school can then submit an appeal on your behalf. Please be aware, there are a number of formalities to be complied with and the appeal must again be submitted within the specified deadline. 

At HCB, we understand that results day can be a stressful time for students and that an appeal process may seem extremely daunting, which is why we are here to help make your experience as seamless as possible. Our education law solicitors are experts in the field who will utilise their extensive knowledge to improve your chances of a successful appeal. Whether you simply require initial, objective advice on your grounds to challenge your A-Level results, or would like us to draft a solid appeal on your behalf and take you through the process entirely, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

To discuss your matter further with one of our specialist education legal team, please contact us on 0333 202 7175.