Senior MP Robert Halfon stated that GCSEs should be scrapped and that A-Levels should be replaced by a mix of the academic and vocational subjects. This exam system was introduced in the 1980s when young people often left education at 16, but today, figures show that about 47% of those who take GCSEs continue on to study A-Levels. The MP proposed the idea of a baccalaureate system to replace A-Levels, and he feels that there should instead be an assessment to show how far one is progressing.
“I agree 100%,” said one student. “GCSEs were invented as a qualification for people who would leave school at 16. That’s legally not possible anymore so GCSEs are literally pointless.”
A current GCSE student feels that “everything should be open book”, as she felt that the memorisation aspect of exams is nonsensical. In the working world, the likelihood of someone having to memorise so much information is very low in many of the career options they want to partake in. One student, who has already completed GCSEs and is now studying A-Levels, has said, “Personally, I feel that in school, we should be taught things that would directly be used in the field of work rather than tests. Doing exams in a more physical way rather than just doing a written test broadens our views in a certain work field as the next working generation.”
Another A-Level student mentioned the stress that a student typically experiences due to these exams. “They made me hate school,” she said, “and I didn’t take them as seriously as some others. I got decent grades but in the end, it felt like they were all for nothing and my stress was a waste of my time.” High levels of stress have affected young people drastically in recent years, with a rise in mental health issues. From personal experience, I remember seeing many friends and even myself breaking down over school. The irrelevance of GCSE grades that this student felt was echoed by another, Osho Devgon, who felt that “GCSEs are stupid, as when you do A-Levels they essentially become irrelevant. Overall they should be scrapped as there is too much pressure on teens these days to do well.”
Freja Khela agreed that this system causes people to specialise too early, especially for those who are still unsure of their future. As many people have said, she felt that we need a more hands-on approach to our studies. “Most other European countries have this system,” she explained, also stating that its heightened focus on the vocational subjects makes it more inclusive. An issue that many people have with the current system is the focus on academics, as many feel that they are trapped and forced to do these subjects.
However, there are issues with the introduction of this idea, as it would raise questions for secondary schools without sixth forms, as they would no longer have the focus of any public exams, and also what would happen to young people who currently take GCSEs but do not stay to take exams at the age of 18. Furthermore, it would mean that young people would have to apply to university without having the results of any public exam results.
Another issue is that the heightened focus on vocational subjects might cause many to disregard the importance of the academics. Katie Overd says that she feels that “A-Levels are easier for those who know what they want to do in the future,” and that the students’ reactions to this proposition would be highly dependent on what subjects they would offer, and how compulsive those subjects would be. It’s important to remember that some students excel in and prefer the Arts, while others are far better at and prefer Maths or English. Forcing certain subjects on the wrong group of students would be an issue.
