Exam reforms doomed unless assessment system changes, say heads

They say that while reforms to GCSEs and A levels are needed, “we characterise these plans as houses that would be built on the sand of a deteriorating national industry of public examinations”. Their introduction would be meaningless unless accompanied by changes to the way children are examined and assessed, they argue.

The study, from HMC, the organisation representing headteachers in independent schools, found deep-rooted problems with quality and consistency of marking and how the appeals process operates. The report has been sent to ministers.

In all, it lists seven serious problems with exams grouped under three headings: unsatisfactory awarding of grades, poor quality marking, and redress and appeals. It finds long-standing year-on-year variations in grades awarded in the same subjects, and unexplained boundary changes to previously stable subjects.