The publication of terrific exam results are all too often met with the assumption that exams are simply getting easier. This unfairly completely ignores really positive developments in education. Above all it overlooks the commitment of teachers and a significant improvement in the quality of teaching.
This steady improvement is vital because the outlook for today’s school pupils isn’t easy. A recent study into education standards around the world put the UK in 20th place behind much of Asia. This matters as succeeding generations are competing in a more and more globalised world.
It is to help rise to this challenge that the Government introduced more testing – including of 7 year olds. This has caused controversy and provoked a “strike” this week with some parents keeping their children away from school.
Some teachers and parents feel very strongly that too rigorous an emphasis on Maths and English (the tests include grammar) with an “exam” objective, can make education too restrictive and less engaging. There’s also a concern, despite the tests being internally marked, not on a “set day” and meant to be “informal” that children may become stressed. It is clearly critical that children in addition to mastering crucial “basics” also learn to enjoy learning and have a chance “to be kids”. I saw evidence of both in recent visits to St Mary’s Primary in Horsham and to Turners Hill Primary School’s fabulous May Day celebrations.
However the tests are designed to help meet two objectives – they help identify schools (these are national tests) which are not making a difference. They also help ensure that no child is left behind. If children don’t secure a firm grounding in their first few years the evidence is that they often never catch up. Aside from wanting the UK to prosper, if we are going to provide opportunity for all, focussing on 11 or 16 years olds is too late: children from less advantaged homes must be helped to succeed early. These tests will, I hope, eventually be seen as a helpful tool rather than a hindrance to good teaching.