Secondary

Friday

9th Apr 2021

Exclusive GCSEs 2021: Old questions ‘may not be unfair’
Board defends recycled questions for this year’s A levels and GCSEs saying advanced sight will ‘not necessarily create an unfair advantage’

Thursday

8th Apr 2021

Scrap GCSEs and A levels to fight racism, say teachers
NEU members vote to call for an end to GCSEs and A levels in favour of assessment that includes ‘global perspectives’
GCSEs: A ‘lie’ to say exams are best and fairest
The preference for exams ‘repeated over and over again’ by Gavin Williamson should be ‘challenged’, says NEU president

Wednesday

7th Apr 2021

Teachers back GCSE reform ‘to restore love of learning’
‘Exam factory culture’ causing mental health crisis and driving teachers form schools, conference told
‘Saying there’s no need for exams lets down schools’
Yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said there is no requirement for exams this year – here’s why teachers are outraged, writes this school leader

Tuesday

6th Apr 2021

Banned: Teacher who gave out exam questions in advance
The biology teacher was found to have shown A Level students questions included in their exam paper
Teachers to earn below minimum wage for exam work
Scottish government document states £400 payment will be ‘less than minimal wage’ for some teachers

Wednesday

31st Mar 2021

Explained: What’s it like to sit a GCSE online?
With online exams a growing possibility, Catherine Lough sits down with AQA to see its on-screen GCSE mock first-hand

Tuesday

30th Mar 2021

Secondaries get £298 for each Year 7 for summer schools
The DfE expects summer holiday programmes will focus on provision for students transitioning into Year 7

Monday

29th Mar 2021

Children’s tsar: Appeals must not result in downgrades
Children’s commissioner says it is still unclear – even to some teachers – what will be used as evidence of attainment

Sunday

28th Mar 2021

GCSEs 2021: Teachers mock ‘hilarious’ grade descriptors
How to get grade 9? Do everything for grade 8 but ‘a bit better’ – teachers take to social media to criticise new grade descriptors

Friday

26th Mar 2021

GCSEs 2021: We have tried to reduce burden on teachers
The head of the Joint Council for Qualifications outlines the thinking behind the approach to GCSE and A-level grading