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Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Major change to GCSE results day to be trialled this summer with thousands to get results in VERY modern way
The change should 'reduce administrative burdens on schools' APPY RESULT Major change to GCSE results day to be trialled this summer with thousands to get results in VERY modern way TENS of thousands of GCSE pupils will receive their results in a very modern way this summer. A pilot to scrap the usual paper certificates is being tried in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands ahead of a planned nationwide rollout. 2 The app could help reduce admin work for thousands of teachers Credit: Getty 2 Students receiving their GCSEs this summer will see a big change Credit: Getty Images - Getty The trial will affect 95,000 teenagers this year who will get their grades on the new Education Record app. Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: 'It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy. 'This government is slashing red tape through our Plan for Change to drive growth, cut admin for teachers and give tens of thousands of young people more opportunities to get on in skilled careers.' Hathershaw College school has been testing the app since last spring and gave it a thumbs up. Principal Mark Giles said: 'We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools, and in the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school.' This comes as academic Becky Francis unveiled her review of the national curriculum tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, earlier this year. Her report suggests slashing the amount of 'intensive, high stakes assessment' that is taking a toll on pupils' wellbeing. It highlights how British teenagers are the most tested in the western world, with Year 11s sitting up to 31 hours of papers. While exams force pupils to 'rote learn facts', she said shifting to more coursework could provide better assessments. Schools Minister Nick Gibb says he's optimistic about the GCSE results as students face 'shock' over grades Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott last night slammed the proposals as 'dumbing down school standards'. She said: 'In moving away from examinations and towards coursework, qualifications will be less rigorous and less credible.' Ms Francis also said the curriculum needs to 'increase diversity in representation' and cited reports calling for more ethnic minority authors to be included. One of the papers that influenced the review was a study called Lit in Colour that bemoaned an education system where 'the literature deemed most worthy of study disproportionately represents a whiteness in a multiracial society.' Ms Francis' review said: 'Pupils told us that not being able to see themselves in the content they learn, or encountering negative portrayals, can be disempowering and demotivating, a point supported by wider evidence.' But it sparked fears of woke teachers foisting their views on young kids in the classroom. Tory MP Nick Timothy said: 'Our schools should absolutely promote tolerance and mutual understanding. 'But we must be very careful to ensure this is not exploited by those who wish to promote divisive identity politics, teaching children to be ashamed of their country and its heritage. Ms Francis - an academic tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with carrying out the review - also suggested adapting the curriculum to teach kids about artificial intelligence. Her polling also showed parents wished their children had spent more time learning about finances and budgeting. Ms Phillipson said: "I welcome the important progress Becky Francis and her expert review are making to drive forward work to take the curriculum into the modern era and help deliver on the government's Plan for Change."
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Major change to GCSE results day to be trialled this summer with thousands to get marks in VERY modern way
TENS of thousands of GCSE pupils will receive their results in a very modern way this summer. A pilot to scrap the usual paper certificates is being tried in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands ahead of a planned nationwide rollout. 2 2 The trial will affect 95,000 teenagers this year who will get their grades on the new Education Record app. Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: 'It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy. 'This government is slashing red tape through our Plan for Change to drive growth, cut admin for teachers and give tens of thousands of young people more opportunities to get on in skilled careers.' Hathershaw College school has been testing the app since last spring and gave it a thumbs up. Principal Mark Giles said: 'We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools, and in the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school.' This comes as academic Becky Francis unveiled her review of the national curriculum tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, earlier this year. Her report suggests slashing the amount of 'intensive, high stakes assessment' that is taking a toll on pupils' wellbeing. It highlights how British teenagers are the most tested in the western world, with Year 11s sitting up to 31 hours of papers. While exams force pupils to 'rote learn facts', she said shifting to more coursework could provide better assessments. Schools Minister Nick Gibb says he's optimistic about the GCSE results as students face 'shock' over grades Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott last night slammed the proposals as 'dumbing down school standards'. She said: 'In moving away from examinations and towards coursework, qualifications will be less rigorous and less credible.' Ms Francis also said the curriculum needs to 'increase diversity in representation' and cited reports calling for more ethnic minority authors to be included. One of the papers that influenced the review was a study called Lit in Colour that bemoaned an education system where 'the literature deemed most worthy of study disproportionately represents a whiteness in a multiracial society.' Ms Francis' review said: 'Pupils told us that not being able to see themselves in the content they learn, or encountering negative portrayals, can be disempowering and demotivating, a point supported by wider evidence.' But it sparked fears of woke teachers foisting their views on young kids in the classroom. Tory MP Nick Timothy said: 'Our schools should absolutely promote tolerance and mutual understanding. 'But we must be very careful to ensure this is not exploited by those who wish to promote divisive identity politics, teaching children to be ashamed of their country and its heritage. Ms Francis - an academic tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with carrying out the review - also suggested adapting the curriculum to teach kids about artificial intelligence. Her polling also showed parents wished their children had spent more time learning about finances and budgeting. Ms Phillipson said: "I welcome the important progress Becky Francis and her expert review are making to drive forward work to take the curriculum into the modern era and help deliver on the government's Plan for Change."
Sky News
07-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
GCSE results to be released digitally in government-backed pilot
A government-backed trial will take exam results digital, but some say this could "take away a rite of passage". The Education Record app will replace paper GCSE files to provide students with digital exam records they can use to apply for college, apprenticeships, or jobs. Around 95,000 Year 11 pupils will be the first to trial the scheme, across Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Combined, around 850,000 to 930,000 students sit GCSE and A-level exams each summer in England. And between them they will undertake 6.5 to 7.5 million exams. Usually, the results of these exams are sent to schools, and students are asked to collect them. In special circumstances, students can already request results to be collected by a named parent or carer. Results can also be emailed on request and would be posted home if not collected in person. In a move to take the process into the 21st century, the results app launch comes as the government ramps up reforms across post-16 education. Mark Giles, principal at the Hathershaw College school, said: "We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools. "In the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school." But Jack Cronin, head of physics in a secondary school in the South East, told Sky News: "For ease of access, it makes sense, but it takes away a rite of passage. "Collecting results in school is a big marker in your life. I know the news isn't always good, but it gives them a chance to see their friends and talk it over." Schools often will provide support and guidance for those students who may have missed their university offers or not achieved their predicted grades. Mr Cronin said: "Young people need to talk in real life to people. Having them on an app just brings more of their lives online also." Stephen Morgan, education minister, said: "It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy." The government estimates the £30m annual saving could be reinvested to fund over 600 new teachers in further education.
