Heads will tell inquiry of pressure to lower grades

Headteachers will present an independent inquiry with evidence today that the Government's exam watchdog put pressure on exam boards to lower thousands of candidates' A-level grades this summer.

Their evidence is almost certain to lead to the resignation of Sir William Stubbs, head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, if it is substantiated by Mike Tomlinson, the former chief schools inspector who is heading the inquiry.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, one of three headteachers' organisations putting evidence to the Tomlinson inquiry later today, said: "All the evidence we've got from schools is of widespread dismay and disbelief at some of the bizarre grades ... The evidence is also that the QCA was at the centre of interference over the way the exams were marked.''

Individual examiners have told the SHA, the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Girls' School Association – which together represent almost all the country's independent schools – of exam boards saying they were under pressure from the QCA to curb any rise in exam results to avoid an argument over grade inflation.

In addition, heads say there has already been an attempt to interfere with next year's A-level results by marking down AS-level papers – taken by pupils in the summer term of the lower sixth and which count towards A-level marks – to avoid further accusations that the standards of the exam are being lowered.

Estelle Morris, the Education Secretary, told Breakfast with Frost on the BBC that it seemed "something's not right'' with the way this year's papers had been marked. She said she would be prepared to take action against anyone guilty of malpractice.There seemed to have been "some late decisions about changing grade boundaries''.

The QCA said it would be submitting its evidence to the Tomlinson inquiry today. Mr Tomlinson said he would be prepared to call ministers to give evidence to the inquiry.

The deadline for students to appeal against their exam marks, due to expire this week, may be extended.