Today's school pupils really do work harder... or at least they think they do

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A similar number – almost two-thirds – believe that news coverage of their results will be critical, regardless of how well they perform, while more than half said they ‘despair’ at negative comments about their school achievements.

Most school pupils believe they have to study harder than their parents to get good results

The survey was commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors and chief executive David Wright said: ‘It is of some concern that the majority of young people might despair at the constant negative reporting of their school achievements, while working harder.’

He said history had shown that school performance is not necessarily the best indicator of future success, noting: ‘Churchill was a poor performer at school.’

Dr Wright said there had never been a ‘golden age’ of examinations.

A report on O-levels in 1958 commented that the standard of English was ‘no worse’ than in previous years, but still ‘very unsatisfactory’.