I agree (despite being one of those who grumbles about grade inflation every year when the results come out) that this particular change was badly mis-handled and manifestly unfair to this year's crop of students. Especially as it's English, which (along with Maths) is essential for practically everything. If it had been History or Biology or whatever it would still have been unfair, but fewer kids would have fond their future opportunities cut so drastically.

Frankly, I'm just glad none of this affects me directly.