In my mind’s eye I see several babies and gallons of bathwater cascading from the Department for Education as Michael Gove’s exam reforms emerge.
There are valid concerns about the way GCSEs are operating, but annual stories about falling standards, that anything except a final examination is a cop out, and that modular exams are an easy ride are ill-informed and damaging.
A problem with GCSEs is the way they are used to judge schools. We have seen a significant rise in the number of hurdles students have to clear for their achievements to count towards performance targets. From five “good” GCSEs, to five including English and maths, to the five Mr Gove deems most important. The EBacc has led to re-engagement with languages, but at the expense of those subjects which fall outside this hallowed ground. Furthermore, vocational qualifications no longer count towards GCSE targets, giving the message that these are of no value.
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