Exams

Ex-education secretary to chair OCR curriculum and exams review

Exam board boss said they can 'create something better across education and assessment' in secondary schools

Exam board boss said they can 'create something better across education and assessment' in secondary schools

New schools' safeguarding guidance includes additional advice on filtering and monitoring harmful online content

A former education secretary is to chair a review into secondary education for exam board OCR.

OCR, which is part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, said it will consult hundreds of schools, colleges, teachers, students and experts to develop a series of “bold and pragmatic” policy recommendations on 11 to 16 education.

It will be led by Charles Clarke, who was Labour’s education secretary between 2002 and 2004.

The review, starting this week, will focus on four key areas, including improving English and maths provision and reducing the “assessment burden” at GCSE.

It will also look at “curriculum evolution” and digital assessment and learning.

The aim is to provide “concise and deliverable” policy proposals, published in the summer.

Charles clarke
Clarke

It’s one in a series of inquiries since the pandemic on the future of GCSEs and exams.

Exam board Pearson proposed overhauling school performance measures and “alternative” qualifications in the English and maths resit policy as part of its major inquiry in 2022.

Meanwhile, another by the Independent Assessment Commission, funded by the National Education Union, said students should be tested “when ready” rather than made to sit “cliff-edge” exams.

The Conservatives want to introduce an Advanced British Standard to “break down the divide” between academic and technical study, its consultation said last year.

If Labour win the next general election, they have pledged a curriculum review to look at “the right balance of assessment methods while maintaining the important role of examinations”.

Jill Duffy, OCR chief executive, said: “We can create something better across education and assessment at 11 to 16.

“In a world shaped by technological, economic and environmental disruption, the next government has a tremendous opportunity to refocus and rethink key parts of our education system. 

“We will work throughout the education system and across the political spectrum to tap into the best ideas and experiences to offer bold and pragmatic policy ideas.” 

Clarke said he was “pleased” to be working with OCR to “develop ideas around how we can revitalise curriculum and assessment”.

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Turbo boost your pupil outcomes with Teach First

Finding new teaching talent for your school can be time consuming and costly. Especially when you want to be...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Inspiring Leadership Conference 2025: Invaluable Insights, Professional Learning Opportunities & A Supportive Community

This June, the Inspiring Leadership Conference enters its eleventh year and to mark the occasion the conference not only...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Catch Up® Literacy and Catch Up® Numeracy are evidence-based interventions which are highly adaptable to meet the specific needs of SEND / ALN learners

Catch Up® is a not-for-profit charity working to address literacy and numeracy difficulties that contribute to underachievement. They offer...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Exams

British Sign Language GCSE ‘unlikely before 2028’

The Department for Education initially hoped the qualification would be launched in autumn this year

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Exams

Ministers hope new GCSE results app will save £30m a year

Almost 100,000 year 11s will receive grades via a government app this year

Shane Chowen
Exams

The schools working hard for the ‘forgotten third’

Every year, about a third of GCSE pupils in England do not achieve a grade 4 in English and...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Exams

OCR pauses geography GCSE changes amid ‘unanswered questions’ about future of exams

Exam board believes it is 'wise to wait' for the outcome of the curriculum and assessment review

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *