The Exam House — April 16, 2020

Cancelling GCSE and A level exams in the summer of 2020 is a serious lack of judgement

In years to come, cancelling GCSE and A level exams in the summer of 2020 by the British Government will be seen as an appalling lack of judgement. Here is a previous blog on how Gavin Williamson have over played his hand.

Simply adding to the view that the Department of Education i is not on the side of the pupils. Rather on the side of schools and exam boards. Illustrating the cosy and incompetent relationship between schools, exam boards and Gov. Without even considering the candidates and pupils.

The lack of flexibility in the system coupled with the narrow minded Gov who couldn’t even put a few exams back a couple of weeks. Without the will and without the way, the UK will continue to make the same mistake again as long as this status quo exists.

There needs to be a route and branch reform of the whole exam process with the pupil and candidate at the heart. Exam boards. co opting with Gov and schools. The cosy three way relationship which maintains a status quo that is neither flexible or adaptable. We have to start again. Make the act of exams happen at a number of occasions throughout the year.

Take the schools out of the exam taking exercise. Provide the opportunity for professional exam sitting services to spring up around schools to run exams. When ever the pupil is ready. The schools are there to teach and focus on teaching. Exams are run independently.

There are too few or not enough exam boards. Either have one only or have lots of different ones. Just remove the cosy few that with Gov decide when the exam takes place. look to the US to see how schools and university entrance exams are separate. Find ways to incorporate computer based exams. Develop a wide variety of exam sitting ways that have the sum total are available, accessible and regular that what we have now. What we have now is not first for purpose. Check out more on the Exam blog.