[Romantic Old Bird]

Sticks, I am in the position of being related to people who were or have been responsible for GCE/GCSEexam marking over the last 40 years.

Pass marks have always been a moveable feast 'within certain parameters'.

Papers are double, if not triple marked. If a person marking is consistently far of the mark others consider reasonable for a paper, they are given the old heave ho.

Marking is a mugs game BTW, and not worth the effort involved for the reward!