The deputy leader of Glasgow City Council has said he is “sorry” to young people let down by the SQA results regrading.

Education Secretary, John Swinney and First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon spent yesterday defending the downgrading, where more pupils in deprived areas had their estimated revised downwards than the most affluent pupils, stating it maintained the credibility of the system.

The SQA re-graded 25% of all estimated results. But in the most deprived communities 15% were down-graded compared to just 6.9% in the least deprived areas.

However, Mr McDonald, deputy leader of the SNP led Glasgow City Council, said students have been “let down” and called for a review of the whole system of assessment to move away from an “one the day” exam based grading formula.

And he encouraged students to appeal and “fight for a fairer reflection” of their ability.

Mr McDonald, said he took the day to speak to local students about the SQA results.

He said there was an “Overwhelming sense of frustration at the individual impact on my young constituents facing potential reduction of grades and opportunities based on their postcode rather than abilities.

“We need a genuine debate on what exams are for and how we assess learning. As a ComEd graduate I’d argue it’s time to move on from a traditional system that measures an ‘on the day’ performance to a more formative assessment, able to measure growth not just grades.

“Young people deserve a system focused on individual need and strengths but that feels a long way off today. Students need an appeals process that is fair and delivers on the calls made by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner to take account of the discrimination facing young people from poorer backgrounds.

“Lastly, to the young people impacted, I’m sorry the system has let you down. Please speak to your school and teachers, appeal and fight for a fairer reflection of your abilities.”