NEU leading the debate on the Independent Review of Education
We have an opportunity to review where we are right now with the Independent Review of Education and ask some big questions about where we’re heading.
Our Ten Demands
NEU NI has submitted initial views to the independent review of education in the form of ten demands or asks to be addressed.
NEU guidance on arrangements for awarding VTQs this summer
NEU has developed this guidance on arrangements for awarding VTQs this summer.
Joint Council for Qualifications exam board guidance on the awarding of GCSE, AS and A-level grades in summer 2021
This guidance applies to all awarding organisations offering GCSEs, AS and A-Levels in England.
2021 exams in Northern Ireland
Education Minister clarifies position on exams in NI 2021.
Coronavirus: what you need to know - exams (Wales)
Exams have been cancelled - what happens now?
DfE report on Baseline
The DfE's report demonstrates only that baseline assessment meets the requirements set out for it by the DfE, which is no real statement at all.
Assessment campaign
After Covid-19, we need reform of our assessment and exams systems to make them fit for the future.
Primary and Early Years assessment
The Covid-19 pandemic further highlighted the flaws in our primary assessment system that fails to put children first.
Streaming and setting
Setting and streaming can exacerbate inequalities and hold back disadvantaged pupils.
Advice
Adaptations to assessments England 2022
Advice and guidance for adaptations to assessments for GCSEs, AS, A-Levels, BTECs and Cambridge Nationals and Technicals in England in 2022
Feedback and marking
Model policy to assist reps and officers in negotiations with the employer on feedback and marking.
Guidance for results days in 2020
In any normal year there can be great anxiety for students, parents, carers and education staff in and around results day. This year will be no different but will have the added complexity of the extraordinary situation for awarding grades, appeals and entries into the autumn series.
Baseline FAQs
Answers to questions about Baseline for organisers and activists
ALPS and performance management
The term ALPS is derived from A-Level Performance System. ALPS aims to provide value added scores to colleges and to individual courses.
Workload : marking
What a marking policy should look like in your school and how to use our model checklist in your workplace.
Blog
Peter Weir's executive dysfunction
Ciaran O’Halloran, NEU member, head of drama at a school in Belfast, and an examiner for Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) shares his thoughts on the ministerial decision on WJEC exams in Northern Ireland.
Defending the principles of early years education
Following the recent sector-led response to proposed changes to the EYFS, early years expert, Dr Sue Allingham, of Keeping Early Years Unique, sets out the concerns of the sector, and the principles which must be defended.
An historic week for primary education
Two of our major political parties have made clear that the assessment and accountability system under which schools have laboured for nearly 30 years can no longer be tolerated.
Speaking out against Baseline
A teacher from one London primary school describes how staff are speaking out against Baseline for the sake of their pupils.
Baseline – the test that nobody wants
A look at the problems with Baseline assessment by Ken Jones, from the National Education Union.
The awkward truth about primary progress measures
The new primary progress measures aren't fairer for children and don’t add up for schools. Anne Heavey explains why.
Press release
Queen’s Speech
The Government claims that its new Schools Bill will level up education opportunity. It will do no such thing. It displays an alarming lack of aspiration and ambition.
Ofqual on Qualifications for 2022/23
Commenting on the announcement of subject content and assessment arrangements for 2022/23
Ofqual's 3 year plan for examinations
Ofqual are right that the pandemic has catalysed questions about assessment in England, however the questions they address are far too limited
Stop toxic testing
Comment on the passing of Motion 39 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union,
Assessment system fit for the future
Comment on the passing of Motion 8 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
State of Education: Assessment
In the latest annual survey of 1,788 National Education Union members, conducted ahead of Annual Conference in Bournemouth, we asked about nationally set assessments, including Key Stage 2, GCSEs and A Levels.
GCSEs and A Levels
Comment on the passing of Motion 7 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union
Ofsted use of 2022 SATs and GCSE results
NEU comment on the use of 2022 SATs and GCSE results by Ofsted
Post-16 Consultation
We strongly criticise the Government’s decision to de-fund AGQs which include BTECs and Cam Techs at level 3. Scrapping these will massively impact disadvantaged students who f have used these qualifications to progress to higher education and into employment for years
NFER on Future Employment Skills
The research highlights that to help current and future students flourish in the 21st century, England must change its approach to assessment and qualifications. If no change to assessment is made, these problems will persist.
Revision Help for Summer Exams
The release of this 'advanced' information comes too late.
UCL research into the teaching of reading
The report adds to the case for abolishing the phonics check and for stepping back from Ofsted’s enforcement of a single approach to the teaching of reading.
Pandemic impact on Key Stage 1 pupil attainment
The report rightly says that the gap will require specific targeted and continued input to support the learning of disadvantaged children.
Contingency Plans for Examinations in 2022
Teachers and leaders and pupils have again been left in limbo about how assessment would work if the exam system failed.
NEU: Value Education, Value Educators campaign
The pandemic has proved just how valuable schools are to children, young people and society. It's time to Value Education, Value Educators.
GCSE Results
This year's GCSE results can be relied upon to help students move on to their next step.
Vocational and Technical Qualifications
Congratulations to all students for their achievements this year and all the hard work that their teachers have done to make this possible.
A-Level Results
Today’s results were achieved amidst unprecedented levels of disruption and adversity, but students can rest assured that they have been judged according to the work they have actually done.
Government decision on school performance tables 2021/22
The continued mistreatment of education professionals brings shame on this Government.
British Educational Research Association report on primary assessment
This has to change. We will not move our school system forward without engaging in serious thought about its problems. BERA's report is an opportunity to do that.
Qualifications in 2022
This consultation is unlikely to provide definitive answers ahead of the new term starting in September. At best it will be a partial picture of arrangements.
NEU Cymru congratulates students getting their grades
Welsh Government needs to put a Plan B in place and make funds available now, so education settings can start planning for next year.
NEU Cymru, Unite, and GMB launch mental health and wellbeing survey
NEU Cymru, Unite, and GMB have today launched a mental health and wellbeing survey which is open to anyone who works within the education sector in Wales.
Education Committee Report on White Working-Class Pupils
It is important to understand that social class is the biggest determinant of educational success or failure. Too many children and young people are disengaged from the curriculum.
Phonic checks back in Autumn
Education Secretary confirms phonic checks to resume in Autumn term
Fairness on grading
As workload rockets for grading season, 10,000 educators write to Gavin Williamson demanding he provides compensation
GCSE and A-Levels
The pandemic has exposed the flaws that exist when awarding GCSE and A-Level grades even in a normal year.
Baseline Assessment
“This year of all years is a terrible time to introduce a statutory requirement to introduce a baseline test which is designed not to give information to either teachers or parents.
JCQ Guidance on GCSEs and A-Levels
School leaders and teachers now need assurances from the Secretary of State that no new requirements will be made of them.
Awarding Grades for 2021
Government acted too late. Had there been steps taken at the start of the academic year to prepare for the eventuality that exams may not be able to happen, this could have been more easily resolved.
Joint statement: fair summer assessment
Education organisations set out principles for fair assessment this summer
DfE Consultation on Awarding Grades
Consultation is always welcome but this is too late in the day.
SATs Cancelled
Teachers and parents will be relieved that Gavin Williamson has faced up to reality and cancelled this year's SATs tests.
Gavin Williamson’s Plan for Schools and Colleges
Education staff will need further information soon about the training proposed by Gavin Williamson to assist with ensuring consistency and fairness of grades nationally.
DfE on Primary Assessment
Teachers require an assurance that the results of key stage 2 tests in 2021, which cannot possibly be a measure of the quality of a school, will not be used as a measure of accountability.
Phonics research
More Than a Score research on Phonics
Post-Qualification University Admissions
Government proposal to use real rather than predicted A level grades for higher education places.
Fair Grade 2021 petition hand-in
NEU hands in petition calling for Government action to ensure fairness in 2021 exams
GCSEs and A-Levels: October
The Government's current approach to exams in England is increasingly untenable.
EPI on School attendance rates
With high numbers of pupils and staff having to isolate as a result of Covid cases in their school, Govt decisions are doubling the difficulties faced by disadvantaged children and young people.
NAHT: Cancellation of SATs 2021
We welcome the NAHT stand. Teachers and headteachers are now united in their call for cancellation: the Government should listen. Statutory assessment in 2020/1 serves no useful purpose.
Building a Fair Education System After Covid-19
Covid has exposed the fault lines in our current system of assessment and accountability.
Joint unions call for grading inquiry
Education unions make joint call for inquiry into grading fiasco
Boris Johnson and the ‘mutant algorithm’
It is brazen of the Prime Minister to idly shrug away a disaster that his own Government created.
Ofqual Resignation
Resignation of Sally Collier, Chief Regulator of Ofqual
#FairGrade2021 Petition Update
NEU petition calling for action on fixing exams system reaches 25,000 signatures in its first 24 hours.
GCSE Results 2020
We commend the students and staff who have supported them this year. They have shown great patience throughout the challenges of lockdown and last week's shambolic uncertainty.
Bigger changes needed for 2021
The Joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union have written to Gavin Williamson the Education Secretary, setting out why the disastrous handling of this year’s exam results must never happen again.
A level grades in Wales
NEU Cymru wishes many congratulations to those who have secured expected grades and we trust that the adjustment and appeals processes will be robust enough to deal with all anomalies that may have arisen.
A-Level Results
The politics of results season 2020 has drowned out the most important point - that students must be congratulated for their hard work and patience through a difficult time for the whole nation.
Announcement on last minute changes to A level grades
NEU Cymru comment on Education Minister's announcement on last minute changes to A level grades
Coronavirus: Ofqual arrangements for GCSEs, AS and A-Levels in 2021
Today's confirmation of business as normal for the content of most subjects next year makes insufficient allowance for the disruption this year and allows no contingency for any further disruption as a result of local or regional lockdowns.
Ofqual Summer Symposium
Results from this year's extraordinary exams process are broadly comparable to previous years’ results, and the majority of students will not be disadvantaged by this year's process.
Coronavirus: Baseline assessment delay
The National Education Union welcomes the decision not to implement reception baseline assessment in September.
Sutton Trust on A-Levels
Research by Sutton Trust’s suggests young people believe cancellation of A-Levels will damage their chances in university applications.
Ofqual plan for Vocational and Technical Qualifications
The NEU welcomes Ofqual’s announcement today on the regulatory arrangements for awarding this summer’s Vocational and Technical Qualifications (VTQs).
Ofqual: Vocational and Technical Qualifications
One form of assessment will not fit all, and more detail is required.
Summer 2020 grades for GCSE, AS and A level
We are pleased that the Department for Education and Ofqual both recognise the professionalism of teachers. Exams are not the only way to assess someone’s ability.
Baseline assessment to become statutory in September
The DfE has satisfied itself about the technical validity of the tests, but is completely incurious about the effects of Baseline Assessment on the educational experience of four year-olds.
Baseline research launched
New research into Baseline testing shows a lack of trust amongst teachers.
More Than A Score assessment survey
More Than A Score /YouGov publishes survey findings of parents' views on too much testing in schools.
General Election Result
The NEU reacts to the result of the 2019 General Election.
NFER report on T Levels
NFER is right that there has to be a concerted effort to raise awareness about the new T Level awards, particularly around the uncertainty about progression routes.
Sutton Trust on GCSE Reforms
The Sutton Trust is right to say that the new GCSE reforms have a negative impact on students.
Liberal Democrats Manifesto
NEU welcomes the the Liberal Democrats commitment to abolish primary SATs testing. These tests, beloved of the Government, cause enormous stress and narrowing of the curriculum – they do not produce useful information for teachers.
Unexplained Pupil Exits
Sixty-nine thousand unexplained pupil exits from schools is a shocking figure and one which the Government needs to address.
Phonics
NEU comments on Government's release of Phonics Check statistics.
Malpractice Commission
The recommendations to spread best practice and take advantage of technological advances in order to help prevent malpractice, where it does occur, are sensible.
Provisional SATs results
Today’s report will do nothing to halt the growing demand to abolish the SATs-based system, and replace it with one which support’s pupils’ learning, and does more to trust teachers’ professional judgment.
GCSE Results
Congratulations to all those receiving their GCSE results today. They are a testament to the hard work of students and all those who have supported them, including education professionals.
Reformed GCSEs are damaging the mental health of young people, and failing to accurately reflect their abilities
On the eve of this year’s GCSE results, the National Education Union (NEU) has carried out a snapshot poll of members about their perceptions of how recent reforms to the qualifications have impacted on the students they teach.
A-Level results
Congratulations to students who have succeeded in their A-Level and vocational qualifications today.
NEU poll shows damaging impact of A-Level reforms on students’ mental health and engagement
On the eve of this year’s A-Level results, the National Education Union (NEU) has polled members about their perceptions of how recent reforms to the qualifications have impacted on the students they teach.
SATs results - demoralising and damaging
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary NEU comments on the release of today’s SATs results.
Primary teachers support NEU’s campaign for an alternative to SATs
With this year’s SATs results published today, the findings of the largest poll of primary school practitioners ever undertaken gives a ringing endorsement of the National Education Union’s (NEU) campaign to end damaging high-stakes tests in primary schools. It also sends a clear message to Government that the current assessment system must change.
Number of primary schools registered to take part in the pilot of the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) falls
Government figures show that 9,600 primary schools in England have registered for take-up of the Baseline assessment.* This is down from 16,766 primary schools in 2018.
Accountability and Assessment
Commenting on the passing of Motion 30 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The resolution demonstrates the conviction of those who work in English education that our system of assessment and accountability is not fit for purpose".
Valid assessment for all
Commenting on the passing of Motion 35 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “With this resolution, the Union adds its voice to the rising concern about the effects and educational value of exams at 16+.
Boycott High Stakes Summative Testing in Primary Schools
Commenting on the passing of Motion 16 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
YouGov/More Than A Score survey on testing
Commenting on the results of a YouGov survey commissioned by More than a Score, released today, which shows the level of school leaders’ frustrations with the Government’s assessment regime, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
‘Pointless’ baseline assessment pilot for 4 year olds announced by Government
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union comments on the announcement by Nick Gibb that the DfE will be looking for schools to take part in a pilot scheme for the proposed baseline assessment tests.
New tests are of no educational benefit to children
The National Education Union is deeply disappointed that the Government has decided to introduce the Reception Baseline Assessment and Multiplication Tables Check.
Categorisation in Wales remains stable - time to call time on the regional consortia?
David Evans, Secretary of NEU Cymru Wales, notes that this year's results of the Categorisation system in Wales show that schools in Wales remain 'stable', in terms of their "improvement" category.
A Transformational Curriculum consultation welcome
David Evans, Secretary of NEU Cymru Wales welcomes the consultation on the new Curriculum "Our National Mission: A Transformational Curriculum".
Performance Tables
Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary NEU has commented on the secondary school performance tables, published today by the Department for Education.
GCSE Performance Statistics
Nansi Ellis, Assistant General Secretary, National Education Union has commented on statistics released today by the Department for Education for 2017/18.
NEU comment on Primary School Performance Tables
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, has commented on today’s publication of primary school performance tables.
NEU comment on BERA report on Baseline assessment
BERA’s expert panel has demonstrated that the Government’s plans for baseline assessment are built on wishful thinking, not evidence, say the NEU.
SATs do not benefit children’s learning and are bad for their well-being – NEU survey
Children crying, having nightmares and being so stressed they needed extra support to cope with SATs were highlighted by primary teachers in a National Education Union (NEU) survey on the primary assessment.
National Education Union comments on SATs Results (Key Stage 2)
Today’s announcement means that, despite the hard work of teachers and pupils, over a third of 11-year-olds will arrive in secondary schools in September labelled as ‘below the expected standard,’ says NEU.
Capita and Primary School Tests
Capita is set to make a vast profit at the expense of young primary children’s mental health and well-being, after the award of a £109 million contract by the government, says the NEU.
Well done to students, but new GCSEs are narrowing the curriculum and adding to student stress, says NEU
Congratulations to students, but new GCSEs are narrowing the curriculum and adding to student stress, says Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union.
Congratulations to students, but high-stakes A-levels do not demonstrate what students can do
Congratulations to students and staff but warning that there is increase in mental health issues and a narrowing of the curriculum with new assessment model, NEU says.
Changes to GCSEs and A-levels are damaging students’ mental health and increasing teachers’ workload – NEU poll
Changes to this year’s GCSEs and A-levels have damaged students’ mental health, according to a snap-shot poll by the National Education Union.
NEU comment on A-level results
NEU comments on the breakdown of results in this year's A-Levels.
Article
Squeezing the love out of learning
CHILDREN crying, having nightmares and being so stressed they needed extra support to cope with SATs were just some of the findings of a National Education Union (NEU) survey on primary assessment.
New GCSEs and A levels take their toll and damages students' mental health
Changes to this year's GCSEs and A levels have damaged students' mental health, according to a snap poll by the National Education Union (NEU)