Commenting on Making the Grade, a study of
GCSE reforms published today by the Sutton
Trust, Kevin Courtney, Joint General
Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“It is absolutely not surprising that the attainment gap
between disadvantaged pupils and others has widened as a result
of the Government’s GCSE reforms.
“These reforms were unplanned, had no meaningful
consultation with teachers and no proper lead-in time.
“The exams now cover an unmanageable amount of content for
many students, and unlike in real life the students have to sit
them once-and-for-all at the end of the course.
“Both these issues are causing real problems.
“It is at the door of the Government that whilst under the
previous system 2% of disadvantaged pupils achieved the top grade
(of A*), it is now just 1% that achieve a grade 9.
“The Sutton Trust is right to say that this may have
negative impacts on these students when they are applying for
university places.
“A survey of National Education Union members found that
73% thought that pupil mental health was worse due to the new
GCSE reforms and 64% said the reformed courses did not reflect
students’ abilities as accurately. (1)
“We need to see a system in place that plays to all pupils’
strengths to ensure they get the qualifications they
deserve.”
Editor’s Note
-
Reformed GCSEs are damaging the mental health of
young people, and failing to accurately reflect their
abilities, 21 August 2019: https://neu.org.uk/press-releases/reformed-gcses-are-damaging-mental-health-young-people-and-failing-accurately
