'Bloated and overloaded' exams systems needs updated: SHA

The examinations system in place is bloated, overloaded and out of control, according to a leading teachers' organisation.

Publishing a report today on assessment and examinations, the Secondary Heads Association (SHA) said a change was necessary as the cost of GCSE, AS and A level, and vocational qualifications in schools and sixth form colleges was costing £380 million per year.

The SHA said that the current external examinations system was overloaded and a change in the balance between external and in-course assessment "must take place in a way that maintains public confidence in the qualifications system".

The government should put more faith in the professional judgement of teachers by using a system of Chartered Examiners – in-course assessors designed to "reduce the current burden of external examinations", the association said.

Under the plans, a new Chartered Examiner status should be introduced across the UK for experienced teachers, who would be accredited to carry out in-course assessment to external standards. The association also called for a pilot of the Chartered Examiner system to be held in AS history and chemistry in 2005-06.

The SHA General Secretary, Dr John Dunford, added: "SHA recognises that increasing reliance on in-course assessment must take place in a way that maintains public confidence in students' qualifications. The proposals for Chartered Examiners, which met with favourable comment in the interim Tomlinson report on 14 to 19 qualifications, will improve the reliability of examination grades, raise the status of teachers and contribute to the raising of standards in schools and colleges. Most importantly, these proposals offer the best way to reduce the massive load of examinations for young people."

SHA President, Tim Andrew, Head of Chesham High School, Bucks, said that the SHA proposals for Chartered Examiners represented a "realistic and practical way forward".

(gmcg/mb)