News
Liam O'Dell
Aug 10, 2021
PA
In a surprising turn of events, Gavin Williamson – the actual education secretary – can’t remember what his results were when he sat his own A-Level exams.
The admission, made by the Tory MP on LBC on Tuesday, comes on the same day that many students opened their envelopes to find out what grades they secured in their A-Levels, during an academic year disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Quoting a statement made by Williamson, host Nick Ferrari asked: “How did you fare, 27 years ago today, as it were?”
“I remember walking up to those college doors, Nick, and going in to my college at Sixth Form and getting that envelope, opening up that envelope, seeing the grades on there and just feeling absolute delight,” replied Williamson, appearing to avoid the question entirely.
Ferrari then pressed the education secretary several times for an answer, at which point he said: “It was so long ago. I mean it was 27 years ago.”
While Williamson was reluctant to reveal the exact grades, another question led him to confirm that he did not receive three A* grades, and he later went on to joke with Ferrari that the answer was a “state secret”.
“I’ve forgotten! It’s so long ago. I mean it’s 27 years ago.
“I mean, you probably can’t remember what was happening last weekend, Nick,” he said.
"Why won't you tell me? Is it a state secret?" @NickFerrariLBC presses Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to rev… https://t.co/oy3mVCsKQH— LBC (@LBC) 1628579780
Twitter users have since expressed disbelief that Williamson could forget that information:
@LBC @NickFerrariLBC FFS, I could list all of my O- and A-level subjects and grades nearly 40 years after getting t… https://t.co/WXS8xVfZHh— ⚫️ Brexit Heretic #FollowBackProEurope (@⚫️ Brexit Heretic #FollowBackProEurope) 1628583526
@LBC @NickFerrariLBC I haven’t forgotten my A level grades from 36 years ago, nor my O level grades in each of 10 s… https://t.co/4K1jIRuRuk— Mack Yavelli (@Mack Yavelli) 1628580112
If you are listening to Gavin Williamson stumbling on discussions about A levels, waffling about universities and c… https://t.co/iprtTLRFHf— Ian Birrell (@Ian Birrell) 1628580087
Gavin Williamson pretending he has forgotten his A level results. He remembers everything else about the day. But a… https://t.co/ksMzHUoDwc— Laura McInerney (@Laura McInerney) 1628583779
This clip says so much about modern politics somehow. Reluctance to say anything at all https://t.co/ffzOp7LtIN— Kate Day (@Kate Day) 1628591232
Was it BAD? https://t.co/Cra63G9qQv— emma jacobs (@emma jacobs) 1628590212
Oh, man. This is almost unwatchable. https://t.co/EiE4uDX16w— Ed Dorrell (@Ed Dorrell) 1628584576
Surely it’s reasonable to expect the Secretary of State for Education to reveal his A-Level grades? Claiming he can… https://t.co/nHjtW0UsVh— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1628665223
Worry not, students. If you’re anxious about your results today, our education secretary got into the position while seemingly being unable to remember his A-Level grades.
Have hope.
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