Exam revamp doesn’t add up, warn MPs

PLANS to axe GCSEs and replace them with an English Baccalaureate Certificate are opposed by Oldham MPs.

Ministers said the change would deliver “more rigorous” testing at 16, with retakes scrapped, coursework reduced or abolished and an end to modular exams.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher fears many children not good at exams will suffer.

He said: “I am sympathetic to the point that GCSEs have become easier than they should. This should have been addressed. What (education secretary) Michael Gove is doing will see a return to the old two-tier system as seen with O-levels.”

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams said: “This comes hot on the heels of the debacle about using different grading schemes in the same academic year. I approve of rigorous examinations and assessments, but this seems more about restricting achievement.”






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