GCSE exams could be cut in order to reduce pupil’s stress, Labour’s curriculum review is expected to recommend.
In an interim report published yesterday, concerns were raised by ministers that too much emphasis is being placed on “intensive, high-stakes” exams and not enough on applied skills and other subjects.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, claimed that the assessments were having an impact on the “wellbeing” of teenagers.
She announced a probe into the curriculum and assessments for state schools just weeks after Labour came to power last July.
GCSE exams could change
PA
An expert panel, led by Professor Becky Francis, is determining the suggestions that will be recommended to the Government for its curriculum review in Autumn.
Whilst being largely positive about the current “knowledge rich” curriculum, the panel has warned that the system “was not working well for all”, pointing to children from a disadvantaged background and those with special educational needs.
The panel is looking at the number of exams sat at GCSE level, how many pupils are having to re-sit their exams, lessons that are outdated and subjects that are too content heavy.
The review believes that primary tests and GCSEs are mostly working well, though has noted that the number of assessments set by teenagers in the UK is more than any other western country.
Students in England typically sit between 24 and 31 exams at the end of secondary school.
The review said before the autumn final report, it will “consider carefully whether there are opportunities to reduce the overall volume of assessment” for the exams.
It added: “We will also take a subject-by-subject approach to consider assessment fitness for purpose and consider the impact of different assessment methods on teaching and learning.
“We will consider potential risks and trade-offs with non-exam assessments, such as deliverability (including the impact on teacher workloads), the risk of malpractice and risks to equity.”
Parents and pupils also told the review that they want more weight to be given to applied knowledge and skills, such as finance and budgeting, interview skills, and public speaking.
The review notes how “many schools begin preparing pupils for GCSE in year 9…which narrows the curriculum offer and may curtail learning in curriculum subjects not selected for further study”.
Phillipson said: “I welcome the important progress Becky Francis and her expert review are making to drive forward work to take the curriculum into the modern era and help deliver on the government’s plan for change.
“That means keeping what’s working and evolving what’s not. The report is clear on the importance of primary school assessment, which [is] simply non-negotiable if we are going to keep pushing standards up for every child and close the attainment gap.”
More to follow…
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