Yesterday exam regulator Ofqual’s new permanent chief regulator Ian Bauckham took up a bizarre campaign on extra exam time. He said he was “concerned” by the fact that a higher proportion of students at independent schools get extra time compared to state-funded schools. This move from the independent regulator curiously comes after education secretary Bridget railed against the “divide”…
The announcement has caused serious consternation in parts of the education sector. Baukham says: “If, when we dig into the figures and get under the surface, we find something is happening that isn’t fair to all candidates, whatever school they’re in, then we will take action.” The split last year was only 42% independent, 27% in non-selective state, and 35% sixth-form and further education…
Exam boards are now expecting instructions from Ofqual to publish data showing the percentage of “Reasonable Adjustments” handed to independent schools vs state ones. Guido hears fines are being considered for organisations who award more to private schools. Those being the ones which teach a disproportionate number of SEN children…
The finger is pointed firmly at DfE for pushing Ofqual into this review, while sector sources tell Guido exam boards have always simply followed strict joint qualifications board evidence requirements. An industry source tells Guido:
“This feels sinister and smacks of government interference in a supposed politically-independent body to satisfy an ideological policy of Labour Party and Bridget Phillipson in her mission to destroy the independent school sector. She refuses to properly fund SEN provision or mainstream state sector schools but is happy to splash money on an Ofqual review.“
The way that Reasonable Adjustments are handed out does not usually require medical evidence which would confirm if a pupil is SEN. That will make a fair analysis much more expensive and complicated. Instead of focussing on improving learning support in state schools authorities are crying foul on a “concerning” arbitrary divide. Another bugbear for the unions there…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”