Press Release

Significant proportion of young people still failed by exam system

Thursday, August 21 2008

"ATL applauds those who have achieved their GCSE results this year, but needs to remind Government that GCSEs are part and parcel of a narrow subject-based curriculum that fails a significant proportion of the young people currently leaving school, said Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.

"We are not saying that achievement should be made easier or 'dumbed down,' or that aspirations should not be high. What ATL is saying is that the curriculum needs to provide a fully rounded education, not a test driven, exam based, target led system.

"Employers want soft skills such as initiative, creativity, punctuality, reliability and politeness. Universities require research skills, independent learning and innovative thinking. However, it is increasingly difficult for schools and colleges to deliver these skill sets in today's overcrowded subject-based curriculum.

"The Government thinks it can say all these things should be included – but where? On whose timetable do we see the opportunity for young people to cover all of these skills and their subjects as well? Certainly, not on any current mainstream timetable today.

"ATL believes reform cannot come too soon for those who are being effectively dispossessed by the curriculum today."