Plan for pupils to sit fewer exams

Parents will be consulted over possible changes to the schools system which could see secondary pupils sitting fewer exams.

Youngsters in the middle years could find themselves sitting six subjects instead of eight once the long-running standard grades are replaced by new national qualifications in August.

The possible alterations are being made as part of the changes to the national Curriculum for Excellence.

Fears have been raised peripheral courses like art or music may suffer.

One concerned parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “That’s going to have quite an impact on the breadth of a child’s education and an impact on the [school] departments that are not key departments.

“This is a money saving opportunity for the authority as they are then submitting fewer subjects for examination and they can cram more pupils in per teacher.

“We are robbing the children of their educational opportunities. I am grieved that parents have not been informed. It is so important it should be out there for discussion.”

However, quality improvement manager for the  SIC schools service Matthew Moss insisted consultation will be carried out before any changes are made.

Mr Moss said: “One of the options we are considering is a reduction from the current model where most young people may sit, or have the opportunity to sit eight standard grades, and reducing that to six national qualifications … but with wider opportunities to study further qualifications throughout the senior phase.

“We’ve had discussions with head teachers, we have been consulting with staff, and of course we will be coming out and having further consultations with parents in time.”

ONE COMMENT

Add Your Comment
  • J Stewart

    • January 17th, 2013 17:43

    Well, good.

    Exams don’t work for everyone, and they’re not an effective learning method for everyone either. You cram and cram then forget it all the next day because you’re so glad it’s over, whereas if you do an essay you have to become more committed to that knowledge.

    I think that making grades nearly 100% exam is pointless. It should be evenly split across different methods, like 33% presentation, 33% essay, 34% exam. It would give you a better picture of that student’s ability. The only problem here, though, is that presentation assessment is tougher than exams to mark objectively.

    REPLY

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.