NEU criticises ‘rigid’ exam system following A Level results day

The general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU) has called for an overhaul of the exam system, describing it as “rigid” and unfit for assessing students fairly.

Speaking on the day A-level and vocational technical qualification results were released (14 August), Daniel Kebede said: “Congratulations to all students receiving results today. The hard work and effort of students, teachers and those supporting them should be commended.”

However, Kebede warned that the current system placed “disproportionate high stakes” on young people, with end-of-course exams creating “unnecessary anxiety”.

He said: “When the entirety of a grade depends on regurgitating two years’ work over a few hours, inevitably some will not demonstrate what they are usually capable of.”

Kebede argued that alternative qualifications such as applied general qualifications (AGQs), which use mixed assessment methods, were “no less robust” and offered a fairer reflection of students’ abilities.

He described the government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review as a “generational opportunity” to modernise education by aligning assessment with the real-world challenges faced by young people.

Kebede added: “AGQs allow many disadvantaged students access to higher education and the CAR panel’s final recommendations should ensure they are retained.”

The union general secretary also urged ministers to address child poverty, warning that students cannot succeed academically if they are “hungry, don’t have a proper home or are worried about lack of money”.