Children’s services chief says call will be made for judicial review into process

Councillor Ralph Berry , Bradford Council’s executive member for children’s services, said the authority was in legal discussions, along with other local authorities, including Leeds, to call for a judicial review into the process.

The row over this summer’s GCSE English results began as national GCSE results were published, and it emerged that grading boundaries had been altered between January and June.

Councillor Berry told the Telegraph & Argus there was no question of schools in Bradford being complicit in the reduction of standards.

“This is just simply not true and what we have got to do is make sure people don’t lose their college places and don’t lose their apprenticeships,” he said.

“Every time something like this happens you can do irreparable damage to the life prospects of young people and at a time of downturn like this, the Government must realise the potential implications of that.”

Councillor Berry said a meeting of the children’s services overview and scrutiny committee held on Tuesday revealed a united response in Bradford.

He said: “I was pleased to see a united response from all parties in Bradford and teaching unions and governors.

“We are, as an authority, discussing with lawyers, along with Leeds and other local authorities, the possibility of a judicial review of the decision.

“I’ve never known such a grand scale of professional concern. This is a professional association saying our work has been trashed and young people have been damaged.”

On Friday, Ofqual announced it would be be inappropriate for either of the sets of exams to be regraded, as teaching unions continued to threaten legal action over the issue.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “Ofqual is the independent regulator of exam standards. The Department is considering the issues raised by the report and we look forward to discussing these issues with Ofqual next week.”