YoungMinds responds to the Curriculum and Assessment Review

While reducing GCSE exams by three hours has grabbed some headlines, these recommendations ignore the overwhelming feedback gathered from young people during the review, that there is too much emphasis on exams in the education system.

YoungMinds’ research with students sitting GCSEs and A Levels this year showed nearly two thirds struggled to cope in the run up to exams, with a significant number of these experiencing suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Recommending reducing exams by just three hours is a bare minimum. So much more needs to be done to address the harm caused to young people’s mental health by an education system with a singular focus on exams.

If the review’s recommendations are accepted, young people will still be sitting more exams than children in other comparable education systems. We urge the Government to listen to what young people have told them and go much further. That means shifting the focus from end of year exams and introducing a mix of assessment methods, to give young people opportunities to shine in ways that work for them.