Key Stage 4 Data Shows Stagnation: Time for Action on Curriculum and Funding, says NAHT

Commenting on the latest key stage 4 performance data from the Department for Education this morning, Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at the school leaders' union, the NAHT said:

“It is positive that the new government has committed to ensuring every young person is able to flourish, regardless of their background, but this data makes clear there has been little change in outcomes in recent years, and the scale of the challenge and shows that schools will need more support if this is to be achieved.

"Schools do their very best to mitigate the barriers some learners face and try to fill gaps in the support young people need. But the last government failed to give schools the level of resources they needed to help pupils catch-up post-pandemic, while funding for disadvantaged pupils stagnated, and there was not enough investment in vital community support.

"Opportunities for success for some students are also limited by the knowledge focussed, content heavy GCSE's with their excessive reliance on high stakes terminal tests and exams.

"Broadening the curriculum, valuing all subjects and skills and reducing the number of exams at the end of Year 11 will help to improve the outcomes for all young people - and the government has a golden opportunity to address these things through its curriculum and assessment review.”