EXAM FUTURES
Online learning was also much harder for children who didn’t have the space to work, or technology to access online learning and resources. So, if the immediate crisis of the pandemic really is starting to recede, perhaps it’s time to think about reform. We can look beyond short-term fixes, to fundamental re-evaluations of what educational success is, how it’s measured, and how inequalities are addressed.
publishing A-levels earlier, which would make sure students across the UK all receive their results at the same time. This could also lead to a change in the way university admissions work, with students getting their offers only after results day, rather than months in advance. Leading on from this, some academics are suggesting that because so many students are now getting top grades, the only way to distinguish the brightest and
best is if universities introduce their own entrance exams – potentially making those sixth form years an even more stressful experience. For others, it’s not just about grade inflation, but the unfairness of our education system. All pupils lost teaching time during the pandemic, but some suffered more than others. Those in more affluent areas, or from wealthier families, did far better.
58 AUTUMN /WINTER 2021
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