AT GCSE level, our children have been let down by constant changes to the examination system. The results’ grading has been particularly confusing, making it difficult for employers, and the students themselves, to understand and compare levels of achievement through an epoch of change.

Since ‘O’-level/GCSE started (not to mention CSE!), we’ve had simple pass/fail, percentages, numbered grades and lettered grades, and now we’re in a GCSE no man’s land, gradually moving back from letters to numbers.

Last year, students were graded A* to G in all subjects. But, this year, maths, English language and English literature have been graded nine to one, with all other subjects given A* to G.

Over the next two years, starting with science, the new numerical grading will be extended to all subjects. The reason for the change is to provide an unambiguous ‘excellent’ grade (grade nine) for high-flyers, which can only be achieved by about three per cent of candidates.

There’s no going back now but, once the transition to a numerical grading system is completed, let’s leave the system alone for half a century, at least.

Steve Kay, Redcar & Cleveland Councillor