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Le Swap students Kirstie O’Connor, Hollie Thomas and Marianna Mosca celebrating after collecting their A-level results on Thursday |
AS-levels ‘adding to pressure on pupils’
Concern that students are facing too many exams
THE intermediate AS-level exams are putting unnecessary pressure on pupils and affecting the numbers going on to complete their courses, educationists have warned.
Camden’s sixth formers collected their results on Thursday and early statistics suggest pass rates have risen.
Figures have yet to be collated by Camden’s education department as to how many pupils completed AS-levels in the borough but then failed to take A-levels, but teachers and governors say anecdotal evidence suggests that AS-levels may heap too much pressure on pupils and put them off finishing A-level courses.
Haverstock headteacher John Dowd, whose school scored record successes this term, said he was not convinced AS-levels were increasing the numbers of students accessing higher education.
He said: “For a lot of students, AS exams are more of a hindrance than a help.
“It is another set of exams just a year down the track after GCSEs and it does not help.”
Mr Dowd added that it increased pressure on the school timetable.
He said: “It also means there are reduced teaching times – you end up teaching for the exams. Previously, you had five terms to teach A-levels. This means it is cut to just over four, and I do not think they have helped improve overall performances.”
The AS-level, introduced in September 2000, was seen as an attempt to offer a more European baccalaureate-style qualification that would allow pupils to choose up to five courses in their first sixth-form year, then whittle it down to three for their final A-level exams.
But Mr Dowd says the system is a half-way house that offers little of the advantages of a full baccalaureate or the old A-level system.
He said: “There have been several reviews of post-16 education. This system is neither one nor the other.”
And his views were echoed by Dorothea Hackman, the vice-chairwoman of Camden Joint Chairs of Governors.
She said: “Every governor I have spoken to says that just as we are vehement that Sats testing puts too much pressure on younger pupils, we are finding the same applies to the AS exam.
“This pressure puts people off finishing the courses and then going on to university.
“Students have gone flat out to gain GCSEs just a year before, which requires a lot of effort, and then they are required to do it again. It means you have three years of strenuous examinations.”
But she also praised the performance of schools across the borough.
She added: “The results of people sitting A-level courses show that Camden is one of the top education authorities in the country.”
Last year the proportion of students gaining A and B grades was 47.7 per cent, while in 2007 the figure rose to 49.8 per cent. This year’s national average was 49.2.
Early indications from Camden’s nine secondary schools show a pass rate of 96 per cent – the same level as last year, and up from 90 per cent in 2001. However, the national pass rate overall is 97 per cent.
Camden Council’s executive member for schools, Councillor Andrew Mennear said: “This is another set of good exam results and this is down to the hard work and dedication shown on the part of our schools and demonstrates a fantastic effort from students.” |
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