Commenting on Ofqual’s review of
‘inter-subject comparability’, Suzanne O’Farrell, curriculum and
assessment specialist at the Association of School and College
Leaders, said:
“It’s disappointing that Ofqual has decided to take no
significant action over severe grading in A-level languages
despite finding that it’s harder to obtain top grades in these
subjects than in many other subjects. We recognise that its
analysis shows there are other subjects which are graded even
more severely, but there is an urgent need to act on languages
because of a national crisis in language learning which has seen
entries plummet in French and German.
“Severe grading is not the only factor affecting uptake. These
subjects are also impacted by a shortage of teachers and funding
pressures. But the perception that it is harder to obtain top
grades in languages is a significant element in deterring
entrants, and today’s report is a missed opportunity to take
action. We are pleased, however, that Ofqual will now be
examining this issue at GCSE level.
“On a wider note, we need the government to work with the
education sector to develop a national strategy to improve the
take-up of languages. We are becoming an increasingly monolingual
society and we have to address this decline.”