When I read this article, I looked at it from both the student’s and university’s point of view. Firstly let me say that an Oxford 2(a), ie a 2.1, result would be graded as a first class result at most other universities. The intelligence and performance of students that qualify for entry at this university ensure this. Secondly, and I say that as a former academic teacher and examiner, the difference between a first class honour result and a 2(a) is considerable. It’s not only a question of knowledge but also a question of the perspective that you bring to the subject. And perspective is not something that can be taught, it is personally acquired. In other words the difference in graded performance is huge, so considerable in fact that no teaching, whether in class, tutorial or private, would have made the difference. The difference is more qualitative than quantitative.
The grade that Oxford offered this student would have been a passport for entry at most of the first class universities in the English speaking world.
I consequently don’t think that Oxford’s teaching has objectively been the cause of any perceived failure of this man
When seen from the perspective of the student, it may have been that he had very high expectations, had had past academic success that had fuelled those expectations and had thought a first class result would be the outcome of his studies. It may have been that the academic teacher in question encouraged him to think so or that he had perceived the teacher’s remarks as doing so.
If there were also social issues involved, eg family expectations, the attainment of a particular status or standing etc in the environment that he lived and continued to live, then if the performance grade was seen as a failure, then personal problems may have been the result.
His history after Oxford suggests, when viewed sympathetically, that he may have suffered a loss of confidence and perhaps depression and anxiety. That seems to be the claim of his lawyer
What seems interesting in this story is the accusation after 17 years, for what has gone wrong in his life. It smacks to me as more of a personal problem, perhaps acute, than the general views of students that have experienced problems with their grading
In my life as undergraduate and postgraduate, I have had teachers and teaching that I found inferior and even sub-standard and whose grading I questioned, but at no time, did I ever think that their attitude or performance, were the reason for receiving a lower grade than I expected. To attribute responsibility, for later personal difficulties solely to former teachers, would have seemed to us students, as a form of projection.
Yes, you are entitled to feel resentment about what happened but to seek legal redress for it, that’s going too far. Where’s your sense of responsibility? your sense of pride?
This seems to be an age, where people seem to be encouraged to see themselves as victims and others as the responsible culprits of their condition.
To seek legal and financial redress in this way undermines our understanding of aspiration and the importance of achievement in our lives.
It is sad to see someone regard himself in this way
I come from an age where accepting responsibility for yourself outweighed the difficulties that you experienced in your life. It may be that you were the victim of all sorts of things but those things never determined or defined you.
