this is @bencsmoke, Huck’s contributing editor, here in parliament square where students are gathering to demonstrate against the controversial a level results that many received last thursday which saw 40% of students marked down from their predicted grades. 
students and families are angry that the algorithm used to assign grades (in lieu of exams which were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic) has disproportionately affected students from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds.
the results saw a 4.7% rise in A grades at independent fee paying schools, whilst FE colleges + sixth form colleges saw just a 0.3% rise. many from the most disadvantaged schools have been marked down, loosing out on university places.
the demonstration here today was arranged primarily through the sharing of screenshots on instagram stories with around 200 students already gathered after the official start of the protest, with more flooding into the square.
lots here are carrying signs showing how their grades were affected. shouts of “fuck gavin williamson [education secretary]”
there are hundreds of very pissed off students here with more gathering as the minutes go on.
students take to a make shift stage to talk about how they’ve been affected, leading chants of “boris johnson’s a wanker”, “teachers not tories” and “fuck eton”
students here burning their a level results. the anger is palpable.
chants of “gavin is a pussyhole” and “fuck gavin williamson” just after the crowd moves en mass onto the grass
and we’re on the move, heading out of parliament square past the abbey. the crowd are loud, hyped and angry.
walking around the crowd earlier it was the same story over and over again - students talking about being downgraded, how their futures wiped out in a second + how angry they are. it’s been 4 days since the results came out + it doesn’t look like this is going away any time soon
the march arrives outside the department of education and the street erupts with noise and chants. the demonstrators sing “boris johnson’s a wanker” and “get gav gone”
students here an unequivocal in their demands for the resignation of gavin williamson - “get gav gone”
behind the crowd, at least three vans of police have appeared as the crowd chant “justice for the working class”
another generation of students sitting down in the road outside the department of education demanding justice.
there are kids here giving impassioned speeches about what they’ve lost because of the results. some break down in tears. it’s heartbreaking to watch.
speeches touch on other issues too including what they claim is the “mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic” and channel crossings “you don’t put yourself and kids on a dinghy for a laugh”. “we’ll be here to welcome anyone searching for a better life”
chants of “fuck the algorithm” as a speaker talks of losing her place at medical school because she was downgraded.
chants of “let us into uni”
one student asks “how can i fail an exam i’ve never taken” prompting loud screams and applause from the crowd
the crowd here is overwhelming young, diverse and loud. chants of “fuck the system” and “fuck the tories” ring out in the street as speeches continue.
chants of “fuck eton” here outside the department of education.
a student here giving an impassioned speech about the impact this has had on their mental health “i’ve been left suicidal”. the crowd chants “you deserve better”.
after more tearful speeches were back on the move
huge cheers here as the crowd moves back towards parliament square and passing cars and buses honk their horns in support
chants of “boris johnson’s a wanker” as the crowd march up whitehall towards downing street
the crowd, now up to around 800, arrives at downing street, and are contained to the pavement opposite by police
the demo here is winding down with groups of students heading off. others stand together swapping horror stories about being downgraded. over and over you hear the question “what are you going to do now?” with the answer always being “i just don’t know”
as the demonstration ends it’s time to once again and put coverage of today’s protests. hundreds of students came out to demonstrate a level results determined by an algorithm which has marked down huge swathes of students from the most disadvantaged schools.
the students gave speeches in parliament square, marched to the department of education where they did a sit it in the road before marching on downing street. as anger continues to grow, there are more demonstrations planned.
thanks once again for following along and solidarity with all out fighting for justice today
