Making the grade

AS the latest GCSE league tables are published, the age-old question of education standards rears its head again.

Certain politicians and teachers have been all too quick to damn the achievements of this latest generation of learners after another year of statistical improvement, stating that the exams are getting easier.

Perhaps the more serious question that should be addressed is why, in the 21st century, do we still have large numbers of young people leaving school without a grasp of key skills?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A careful balance needs to be struck. While many, particularly universities and business leaders, decry exams for becoming too easy, they need to be careful that these remarks do not put off the many pupils who are struggling to achieve a basic level of competence.

This has been addressed in the past by making subjects more relevant to the students, but the opposite view is taken by Cynthia Hall, the headteacher of one of the country's top-performing schools.

Mrs Hall claims that in making the subjects more relevant to pupils, it has made them "less academic". She goes on to assert that sciences are being forgotten, saying: "You need to know a bit of science, but not

that much."

Teachers from all fields are appealing for financial help to boost their subjects, but it is inspirational teaching – rather than more money – that is likely to be more beneficial to those youngsters struggling to make the grade.

Responsibility therefore falls on the shoulders of the many hard-working teachers to inspire their pupils, and for deserved success at exam time not to be frowned upon.

Related topics: