THE Labour councillor who oversees schools and colleges in St Helens has blasted the Government over its last minute change to England’s GCSE and A-level exam system.

The Government has come under fire following the 11th hour announcement of its ‘triple lock’ system.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said late on Tuesday that students receiving their A-level or GCSE results will be able to use mock exam results or sit autumn exams if they are unhappy with their calculated grades.

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Results this year are based largely on centre-assessed grades, predicted grades submitted based on the teacher’s professional judgement.

However, many students across England have received lower grades than the centre-assessed grades submitted by their teachers after they were moderated by exam boards.

A number of students at Carmel College has been affected by this, according to principal Mike Hill.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said the move had caused “widespread chaos” among teachers, families and young people.

The Labour Leader said the situation “smacks of incompetence”, and branded it a “complete fiasco”.

Cllr Sue Murphy, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for developing young people, has now given her thoughts on the matter.

The deputy leader of the council said: “I am immensely proud of all our students in St Helens borough who have worked tirelessly and achieved so much.

“And I’m grateful to the school and college staff who have supported them through such challenging circumstances.

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“Today should be the pinnacle of our young people’s time in school, but instead they have been left with uncertainty by this Government’s ineptitude, confusing method and last-minute changes.

“If you didn’t get the grades you wanted please don’t worry, your school or college will be able to help talk you through your options and next steps.

“You’re just setting out on your path in the world and all of us at St Helens Borough Council want to wish you the best of luck in your future, wherever you go.”