GOVERNOR at the Sixth Form College Bolton and retired university lecturer Dr Brian Iddon believes universities will be flexible given how the grading structure has worked this year.

Dr Iddon, who was the former MP for Bolton South East, urged students not to panic if they did not receive the grades they had hoped for.

As well as highlighting the appealing process, Dr Iddon urged students to contact their university if they may have slipped a grade.

He said: "The Sixth Form College, Bolton staff have worked diligently to assess students and award them the grade they are capable of.

"I do have sympathy with every A-level student who has worked extremely hard and left disappointed by not being able to sit the exam."

Dr Iddon said there was a worry that students were not competing on a level playing field.

He added: "But universities are prepared and there is a fair chance students will get the place there were offered.

"Universities will look at the personal statement, many of the students offered a place will have been interviewed already.

"There will be more places as the number of foreign students fall because of the pandemic."

The former chemistry lecturer praised how staff and students had battled through lockdown.

"The way the staff at the sixth form have worked has been really wonderful, they have kept in touch with students, providing them with work and also support."

Dr Iddon said there was an appeals process students could follow ­— but warned that mocks do not necessarily provide a true reflection of a student's abilities as in many cases they are not taken as seriously as the external examination.