A HEADTEACHER has raised concerns about the top grades of a new-style GCSE going to only three per cent of students.

Only the top three per cent of GCSE English and maths papers will be awarded the grade when the new papers are sat in 2017 following a shake-up in the system.

The way papers are graded will be changed from the A* to U scale gradings to a numerical system where the highest is a Grade 9 to the lowest at Grade 1.

But some teachers are warning that the change in the system could affect how accurately further and higher education facilities assess the capabilities of students.

Sharon Kirwan, headteacher at Churchfields, said: “I am all for academic rigour and able, gifted and talented students being pushed to achieve at the very top.

“However, if the new banding system changes how many students can access the top grades, how can colleges, universities and employees accurately judge the ability of the candidates when those candidates have sat their examinations in different years?

“Some of the finer detail is just emerging; they claim that ‘broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 or above as currently achieve an A or A*. However the strong anchor point between the old system (grades A*-U) and the new system (bands 9-1) is centered around a grade C which will convert into a band 4.

“The reality is we will just have to wait and see what 2017 brings.”

Exam regulator Ofqual said the move was in response to calls for greater differentiation at the top end, and that 2017 would be about setting anchoring points between the old system and the new, particularly a Grade C with a Grade 4.

Chief regulator, Glenys Stacey, said: “It's very important we have at least one anchor point between the old and the new.

“This will ensure the year group of students are not disadvantaged, or advantaged, because of the introduction of the new qualifications, and will provide some certainty about what to expect at this time of significant change.”

For each examination, the top 20 per cent of those who get Grade 7 or above will get a Grade 9. The bottom of Grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of Grade G.

General secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, Brian Lightman, said the success of the reforms depended on their implementation.

“Harder exams in themselves do not lead to higher standards. Excellent teaching and clear leadership are what enable students to achieve more,” he said.

"Students must not be disadvantaged by the change in grading.

"What is important is that Ofqual sets out very clearly to teachers and students what is needed to achieve a specific grade.

“This is not the same as simply describing what statistical proportion of pupils will achieve a grade.

“Employers need a clear message that if a student has achieved a particular grade, it means that they have a certain skill or knowledge level.”