Next year’s exams in England must be replaced with
classroom-based assessments that will allow schools to determine
grades, the Green Party has said.
Following the fiasco this summer which saw an algorithm used to
determine grades [1], and as evidence emerges of regional
inequalities in the impact of coronavirus [2], the Greens
education spokesperson has urged the government to set out a
clear plan for next year’s GCSEs, A Levels and SATs.
Lowthion, a secondary school teacher on the Isle of Wight, said:
“The regional inequalities across England that we have seen
during the pandemic means that it would be completely unfair if
exams were to go ahead as usual in 2021.
“At the same time, students should not be limited to teacher
assessed grades. This would be unfair on both staff and pupils
and, as we saw this summer, can be badly affected by an algorithm
based on prior attainment rather than current ability.
“Exams in 2021 cannot be business as usual. They must be replaced
by classroom-based assessments, which are marked externally over
the months until July. Schools must then be trusted to use these
assessments to determine the student’s overall grade.”
ENDS
Notes
1
https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2020/08/19/greens-call-for-overhaul-of-education-system-after-results-fiasco/
2
https://www.thenhsa.co.uk/app/uploads/2020/11/NP-COVID-REPORT-EMBARGOED.pdf
