Commenting on today’s results, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Congratulations to all young people receiving results today. Acknowledgment also to the sustained and dedicated hard work of their teachers and support staff.
“Yet another cohort has navigated England’s unusually exam-heavy assessment system. Many students have faced over 30 hours of high-stakes testing –which is far more than their peers internationally.
“This approach makes success heavily dependent on performance on just a few days, when illness, exam technique or other circumstances can have a significant impact. End of course exams also prioritise memorisation over wider skills which evidence shows are essential for work and life, including communication, collaboration and problem-solving. The Milburn Review’s interim report warned that our narrow assessment approach at Key Stage 4 is disengaging young people rather than preparing them for life beyond school.
“We welcome the new Secretary of State’s acknowledgement of England’s exam burden, and that the English and maths GCSE resit policy simply does not work. This needs to be changed. We urge her to explore, with the profession, a broader approach to assessment that allows young people to demonstrate their strengths.
“The impact of poverty and regional inequality cannot be ignored. Schools do all they can to alleviate this but they cannot do it alone. The pressure and strain experienced by those in areas of disadvantage must be addressed by government, ensuring that schools and colleges have the funding needed to support every learner to succeed."