As GCSEs begin, the Independent Assessment Commission
(IAC) - an expert panel of teachers, parents, academics, business
and students - have wished young people sitting exams good luck,
whilst also repeating how this year's exam season should be the
last in its current form.
Chaired by Prof. Louise Hayward, the IAC recently concluded a
year’s research and work on the future of England’s Assessment
System, producing the New ERA (Equitable, Reliable, Assessment)
report which recommended fundamental changes and an end to a
system that relies almost entirely on “high stakes” examinations.
Speaking ahead of the start of exams and an online
Parents Webinar, Prof. Hayward said:
“On behalf of the IAC, I want to wish every student well for
these exams and express gratitude to their teachers and those in
parenting roles who have supported them to get to this point.
“For over a year our commission reviewed the current system and
heard first-hand of the impact of the stress and anxiety that
often accompanies exam season, certainly for those sitting exams,
but also for their educators and families.
“The evidence we gathered was clear that the current exam system
is no longer fit for purpose - serving neither young people,
society or the economy adequately.”
“There is now a real, broad consensus that we need a system that
moves away from the a qualifications’ system that relies so
heavily on “high-stakes” examinations towards one that provides
opportunities for all young people to demonstrate what they have
achieved; with ‘academic’ and ‘vocational’ elements sitting
seamlessly alongside accreditation for skills development. Exams
are only one way of gathering evidence. For some areas they
work well but not for everything that matters.”
“As these exams begin, it is time for the English education
system to turn its attention to the future and to create a
modern, inclusive and innovative system that prepares young
people well for the next stage of their lives, in college,
employment or university.
John Jolly, the CEO of Parentkind said:
“We were delighted to participate in and be involved with the
Independent Assessment Commission. Our recent poll found that
almost nine out of ten parents agree that it would be a good idea
to change how we assess children's performance in future,
especially in light of the disruption to children's education
caused by the pandemic. There is a mental health impact on young
people too: our Annual Parent Survey found that more than half of
parents are concerned about exam stress and over a third say
their child has experienced it.
"Parents are increasingly aware that the current education
system doesn't equip all pupils equally to reach their potential
and move on to the next phase of their education or the
workplace. They all want what is best for their children and many
have ideas about what isn’t working and how assessment could be
improved. That's why we're delighted to work with the IAC in
presenting the parent voice on the crucial issue of how we
measure children's skills and abilities as this national
conversation gathers pace."
Robin Bevan former President of the NEU and Member of the
IAC said:
“As a headteacher, I see every day the constraints put on
educators by teaching that is unrelentingly focussed on high
stakes end-of-course examinations. It narrows the
curriculum and often takes away the love for subjects that
inspires students and which takes people into teaching in the
first place.”
“It's no surprise that educators voted for a policy of changing
the assessment system at the National Education Union conference.
The IAC affirmed the NEU policy that change is needed. Reforms to
assessment will benefit every young person.
“It will also help to attract and retain teachers, by developing
their professionalism and providing greater job satisfaction and
enhancing their role in helping students to develop further their
skills in problem-solving, communication, critical-thinking and
innovation”
“If we get a new era of assessment right, we won’t just help
students but we will also retain teachers, providing greater job
satisfaction. Well-managed change can also help ameliorate
workload issues caused by intensive and repetitive preparation
for endless examinations.”
