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‘Stress' can't be an excuse for letting children off exams

‘Stress' can't be an excuse for letting children off exams

Telegraph20-03-2025

The National Curriculum for England is a relatively recent construct introduced in 1988 by the Thatcher government. Subsequent education ministers have reviewed it and tinkered with its contents and provisions.
The Tories in 1995 sought to reduce the volume of statutory content and change methods of assessment. The Blair government announced another overhaul, particularly at primary level, to allow more time to be spent on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. Further changes were introduced in Sept 2008 and again by Michael Gove in the Coalition in 2013.
Another review is under way. An interim report published this week proposes to reduce pressures on pupils by limiting their exposure to exams. It said that 'intensive, high-stakes' assessments were having an impact on their 'wellbeing'.
Polling found 41 per cent of last year's GCSE cohort found it difficult, while 10 per cent found it 'very difficult', to cope with exam stress.
What has been apparent since the pandemic wrought such havoc with the education of a cohort of children is that their ability to deal with the normal vicissitudes of life has been constrained.
Is it really a good idea to compound this tendency by continually making things easier? The review said that it 'would not fundamentally change the number of subjects that students study or are assessed in at GCSE.'
But the direction of travel is to make life less stressful whereas it should be about giving pupils the necessary resilience to deal with the inevitable knocks that growing up entails. A curriculum fit for the modern world, which is what the Government wants to see, needs to address that above all else.

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Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures
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Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures

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Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures
Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures

Glasgow Times

time22 minutes ago

  • Glasgow Times

Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures

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Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures
Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures

The Independent

time25 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Reeves announces £6 billion to provide millions of NHS tests and procedures

Rachel Reeves has announced a £6 billion investment to speed up tests and treatment within the NHS, after setting out huge year-on-year rises in the health service's budget. New scanners, ambulances and urgent treatment centres are among the things which the additional cash will pay for, with the aim of providing up to four million more tests and procedures over the next five years. The announcement comes after the Chancellor put NHS funding at the heart of her spending review on Wednesday, raising its budget in a move worth £29 billion a year. This comes, however, at the expense of other areas of public spending. The new £6 billion funding will help to meet the Government's target of reducing NHS waiting lists in England, the Chancellor claimed. 'Over a decade of underinvestment from the previous government put the NHS on its knees, with people across the country unable to get the care they need. We are investing in Britain's renewal, and we will turn that around,' Ms Reeves said. She added: 'Part of our record investment will deliver four million tests, scans and procedures, so hard-working people can get the healthcare they and their families need. 'There is no strong economy without a strong NHS, and we'll deliver on our Plan for Change to end the hospital backlog, improve living standards and get more money in people's pockets.' The latest spending commitment will help patients get access to diagnostic scans and treatment in places such as shopping centres and high streets, speeding up their diagnoses. The Government hopes this will help to cut NHS waiting lists, meeting Labour's goal of ensuring the health service carries out 92% of routine operations within 18 weeks. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Since taking office we have been relentless in our drive to cut waiting times for patients, delivering over 3.6 million extra elective care appointments and reducing the overall waiting list by over 200,000. 'The £6 billion investment we are announcing today will generate millions more vital diagnostic tests, scans and procedures for patients across the country.' On Wednesday evening, Ms Reeves said the Government was 'confident' it could meet its pledge to reduce waiting lists after giving the NHS a 3% annual increase in funding at the spending review. Some health leaders are, however, sceptical that the Government will meet its target, despite the funding boost provided at the spending review. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents all health organisations, warned 'difficult decisions will still need to be made as this additional £29 billion won't be enough to cover the increasing cost of new treatments, with staff pay likely to account for a large proportion of it'. He added: 'So, on its own, this won't guarantee that waiting time targets are met.' Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King's Fund charity, said: 'The Chancellor said she wants the public to have an NHS there when they need it. 'It is hard to see how all the things she mentions: faster ambulance times, more GP appointments, and adequate mental health services and more can be met on this settlement alone. 'Particularly when large parts of this additional funding will be absorbed by existing rising costs, such as the higher cost of medicines, which are currently being negotiated, and covering staff pay deals.'

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