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Qualifications and assessment

NGA's position statement on qualifications and assessment

school-environment someone walking around during exam conditions

In order for governing boards to carry out their accountability role they must have access to high quality and comparative performance data. School and trust effectiveness should be judged on both attainment and contextually-sensitive measures to ensure the school’s impact can be properly assessed. 

Pupils need to be given the best possible opportunity for a successful life after school and the qualification system must therefore offer both high-quality vocational and academic qualifications. 

NGA continues to participate in the ongoing discussions around the suitability of the current examination system. The continued disparity and outperformance of girls compared to boys and the well-documented struggles of particular disadvantaged groups remains a cause for concern. The examination system should give all pupils the opportunity to maximise their potential. For example, an excessive focus on memory recall is unnecessary in the modern age, and could be replaced by a greater emphasis on applying knowledge.

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