Gavin Williamson was asleep at the wheel of a school bus carrying hundreds of thousands of children to their futures - The Yorkshire Post says

It is not surprising that the latest move prompted backlash from across the political spectrum, with Conservative MP Robert Halfon, who chairs the Commons Education Committee, describing the situation as a “huge mess” and Labour’s Kate Green, the Shadow Education Secretary, calling for the Prime Minister to take charge. For, any right-thinking individual can clearly see the impact the shambolic handling has had on this year’s cohort of pupils, with many adversely affected by downgrading, missing out on places at university and now in limbo over their future prospects.

When Education Secretary Gavin Williamson suddenly announced a ‘triple lock’ on Tuesday night, claiming pupils could accept their calculated grade, appeal to receive a ‘valid’ mock result or sit exams in autumn, this newspaper described the approach as “ill-thought out policy on the hoof.” Indeed, the lack of due consideration and planning has unfairly left many students in the dark – angry, confused and still waiting to hear how the appeals process will work. It needs clarifying urgently, not only for their sake, but in the interests, too, of all those nervously awaiting their GCSE results this week.

Ironically, Mr Williamson appears to have been promoted beyond his capabilities. Frankly, he stands guilty of being asleep at the wheel of the school bus that was ferrying tens of thousands of pupils to their future lives. Now they are stranded. Such ineptitude in high office is simply unacceptable.

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James Mitchinson

Editor