Lord Lucas’s published ‘The Good School Guide’ revealed such remarkable improvement in the performance of State Schools, that hundreds of independent schools risk closing down. This is extremely good news for the parents of working class, middle class and for the nation.
The secretary of state for education Mr. Keith Joseph (in Mrs. Thatcher’s cabinet) replaced the outdated ‘O’ level exams with GCSEs which brought immense shake up of the system. Only around 35% pupils were able to achieve 5 “O” levels, mainly from well to do sector. Modular study, course work of 20% of total marks helped the children of working class parents and slow learners. It prepared clever students for project work required in higher education. Later, introduction of league table for schools gave clear picture of performance of each school. Key Stage exams for 7, 11, and14 years old tested continuous progress.
However, able students aiming for ten and over A-A* were stressed out having to do 10 subjects’ course work. The exams standards were dropped to the extent businesses, workplaces and universities showed total dissatisfaction. Recently, Mr. Gove introduced changes in the process and tougher exams. Hope, these will raise standard to aimed Baccalaureate level.
Ila Kapadia
By email
