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Exams chief: Written tests are a relic of 19th century
Tim Ross11.02.09
A top government adviser on school tests launched an astonishing attack on the exams system today.
Sir Tim Brighouse described GCSEs, A-levels and Sats as "deeply flawed" and condemned the widespread use of written exams as a relic of the 19th century.
He proposed a new primary school "graduation" ceremony, in which children celebrate their success in areas such as music and sport instead of the current narrow focus on Sats in English, maths and science.
Sir Tim, who led the Government's drive to improve schools in London, has been appointed by ministers to the expert panel reviewing Sats in the wake of last year's marking crisis. Results for more than one million children were delayed after a string of blunders.
Speaking at a conference organised by the National Union of Teachers and National Association of Head Teachers in King's Cross, Sir Tim said: "There is one bit of the system that looks like the 19th century. It's the assessment system. Don't put too much faith in exams. I think they are deeply flawed in some cases."
More use of teacher assessments instead of formal written exams is needed if children are to learn the team-work and communication skills employers want, he said.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has insisted that Sats for 11-year-olds are "here to stay". But Sir Tim called for moves away from the current system of external tests.
Sats are not a "reliable" way to assess national standards of education, and ministers have already scrapped tests for 14-year-olds, he said.
Instead of condemning children to be seen as a national curriculum "Level 2" or "Level4" on the basis of Sats, terms such as "apprentice reader" or "established reader" should be used.
Sir Tim called for a new "primary graduation" ceremony to be introduced by schools. "Why on earth do we not celebrate what they are good at - where a kid who's an absolutely brilliant singer says, 'I'm a young singer'."
Mr Balls is considering reforming Sats so that children are examined when they are ready rather than at the fixed age of 11.
The minister believes this will encourage teachers to help all pupils progress by at least two National Curriculum levels in every "key stage".
By the age of 11 children are expected to be at Level 4 in English, maths and science. But Sir Tim criticised the idea that all children would progress by two levels as "bizarre".
He said children developed at different rates and should not be penalised if they start slowly.
Reader views (15)
It is a fact that in this competitive world if you are uneducated then you will suffer when it comes to getting a high quality job. How do measure education by examination results of course. It is education leaders like Sir Tim that have led the education system down the path of mediocrity since the 60's. The highly intelligent will always prosper it is the mainstream that needs to be encouraged. Sir Tim is not the person who has the ability to provide this leadership and he should be discarded as well past his 'sell by date'.
- Nick Holland, glasgow
Perhaps when Sir Tim is appointing his senior staff, he would like to receive CVs commenting on the candidates' successes in French Cricket and Egg & Spoon race (obviously written in crayon) rather than their academic and career achievments.
No, I thought not. One standard for the rulers, another for the proletariat. Lets keep the class system as it was to ensure a nice undereducated sink class of natural voters for labour rather than try to encourage social mobility.
- George, London
"Some people go to pieces during exams and yet they know their stuff in reality"
I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this. So, does it mean that those people who don't know their stuff (regardless of whether they go to pieces) can proceed to become engineers, doctors, etc etc without exams?
What a load of logic garbage.
- Light12345, US
The pressure teachers have been under trying to keep pace with the never ending changes to the curriculum is beyond the imagination of certain politicians. It's no wonder that teachers dedicate their time to trying to get students to pass exams. The GCSE's today are too basic. Imagine 80% os pupils passing exams at the same grade only to suffer a tie-break question. This is reality when they apply for jobs. School is there to teach students the ability to learn - to progress everyone in an area they are interested. Hopefully this will be an area where they can add value in their chose career.
- Keith, Luton, Neverland
He has a point. Some people go to pieces during exams and yet they know their stuff in reality. We all develop physically at different stages, why not mentally?
The guy needs to be heard. I'm interested in his theories. Sir Tim Brighouse, keep it up mate.
- Paul, Bromley
My first reaction was that the man (in his late sixties) was old enough to know better; then I remembered that there is no fool like an old fool.
- Frank, Saarbruecken, Germany
In the 19th Century Britain was the most innovative and industrious country in the World and presided over 1/3 of the Planet. We were also moving towards being the most free, democratic and socially progressive country on Earth.
Sometimes being a "relic" is not such a bad thing after all.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
Is this a joke? Talk about dumbing down! When I was in the USA, (California to be precise), I was impressed at how the American youth worked very (very) hard. Buying heaps of books and working into the early morning. (Not to say UK University students don't do the same thing here.) The Americans are inspired to 'be the best you can be' (former Marines slogan), while here, it appears we're lowering the goal posts, rather than raising them. Is it no wonder a) That our Mars probe (Beagle 2) never made it b) We're collapsing as a nation in general? It would seem that Sir Tim is doing what all those in power like to do, removing the majority's ability to think so they fail to challenge the status quo - such as the current corrupt banking system.
Time to leave the country perhaps? (Or revolt and fix it?) Thoughts educated Standard readers?
- Vision Aforethought, Oxford
Do other countries suffer from this constant questioning of their institutions? I don't think so.
- Sue Rochester, London
Where do this government find these idiots with such stupid ideas.
How many times have they tinkered with the education system and failed to improve it?
- Tony, Cardiff
HILARIOUS! And where, may one ask, did Sir Tim, whose natural abilities seem so lacking in comparison to how far he has got in life, go for his own education? Why, OXFORD of course!
Try getting in there without any exams.
- Liz, London,UK
Steve from London is absolutely correct. The writing of clear, concise essays is an important skill which everyone needs if they wish to progress in life. Sir Tim is a very dangerous man and something of a buffoon to make such comments.
I wonder if numeracy and literacy were greater in the 19th century than they are today
- Watson, London UK
This is an excellent plan.
If school children are judged on their ability to sing and dance, rather than their ability to reason and remember, every child will be a success!
- Peter Jones, London
What a load of rubbish, and worse dangerous rubbish. Does not "Sir Tim" understand the fundamental necessity of rigour, discipline and discovery that written exams provide? Even today's pathetic so called "multiple choice" questions are inadequate in their ability to test children.
Let me try to explain to "Sir Tim". Forty five years ago I was writing exam essays on the causes of The English Civil War. The value to me of this was not so that I could remember today all about "The Long Parliament"; rather it was to help me understand a commitment to a deadline, and show me how to marshall my thoughts, formulate an argument and express that argument clearly and concisely.
These are the real life lessons which I have benefitted from considerably.
Today we have generations of teachers, let alone pupils, who are barely able to express a coherent thought. "Sir Tim's" recommendations will only serve to bring education to a new low, if sinking even lower was even possible.
Incidentally I became unofficial schools marbles champ in 1962 when I "bagged" all of Pete Creswell's "shooters" in a straight head to head.
According to "Sir Tim" I guess that was my finest accomplishment and should be celebrated as such. Actually now I think of it, such a qualification would probably get me a plum taxpayer funded job in "Sir Tim's" department! Trebles all round!
- Steve, London
If you can read and write and are numerate you can learn and therefore achieve in almost all subjects. Sadly these two skills have been almost ignored due to political influence . Now reading and numeracy are just another subject. How stupid the politicians have been. Maybe we should drop education as it was an ancient greek concept.
- Terry, H
