The 2016 changes to the Key Stage 2 SATs tests grading system have been a travesty. Just as the positive 2014 changes to the curriculum saw us rise up the PISA rankings, the 2016 changes to the SATs grading system could see us fall back down. Accurate information about how children are performing means that…
The pandemic and lockdowns have had a massive impact on children’s education – and continue to do so with many students having time away from classes. For the most part schools have been back ‘properly’ this term and we can assess what needs to be done to help students catch up. Firstly, there needs to…
With girls again outperforming boys at GCSEs an academic has posed the question: “Why can’t we accept it is just that they are cleverer?” Professor Alan Smithers’ comment was not just a throw-away line; he had conducted research into this area and published a report on it. And for the most part, I would go…
Once again A’ Level results were collected by worried sixth formers and once again they performed better than any year group that had gone before them. It seems we are trapped in an unending spiral of grade inflation, and if it continues on its current trajectory, it won’t be long before every student is an A-grade student.…
Children next week will learn what GCSE and A’ Level results they have achieved. However, like last year, the method of arriving at the grades will not be through the process of marked examination papers. This is because of the pandemic, which has deeply affected the education of millions of our young people. Last year…