Exam systems need to focus on more than just the final grades
There are many ways in which the assessment system could encourage more creativity in schools.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Introducing more searching questions at A-level to encourage students to get more of a feel for their subject, and encouraging take-up of extended projects – designed to promote creative writing and thinking skills – will both play a large part.
But perhaps the secondary sector could take a leaf out of the universities’ books, where an increasing number have signed up for the Higher Education Achievement Report (Hear) project advocated by professor Bob Burgess, until recently vice-chancellor of University of Leicester. He has long argued the current degree system of firsts, seconds and thirds is an anachronism in today’s world and tells you little about individual students.
Instead, he says, students should complete their degree studies by being given a portfolio that registers their achievements in a range of activities – including participation in societies, voluntary work and sporting achievement – that tell you a little bit more about a student’s character.
The first tentative steps towards something along these lines has already been taken up by Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt (pictured) who floated the idea of a new national baccalaureate – which could concentrate on these skills areas as well as the traditional academic demands of the English Baccalaureate, introduced by the former Education Secretary Michael Gove.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments