The NUT has just released King’s College research on the effects of government policies on the secondary curriculum. Based on a sample of 1800 secondary members and in depth school case studies, key findings show amongst other things:
- 74% of teachers consider the Ebacc requirements are dramatically narrowing the curriculum.
- 84% worry that the excessive pressure of exams is taking its toll on young people’s well- being and mental health.
- Three quarters of teachers believe that the new ‘one size fits all’ GCSEs will be less suitable for low attaining students and have made the curriculum uninspiring and anachronistic.
- A general lack of confidence in ‘Progress 8’ – Government’s latest attempt to measure students’ progress and hold schools accountable for it, with widespread opposition to using unreliable KS2 SATs data as the basis for measuring progress at GCSE.
- 92% reporting their workload has increased as a result of the changes
- Increased concern about job insecurity as the non-Ebacc subjects are scaled down or become no longer available as a learning option, particularly as a result of funding cuts.
Education, Economy and Society 