Online voices

STORY

Do you think replacing final exams with teacher-assessed grades has changed the value of GCSE and A-level results?

Jo Sangster: My son still did 40 exams in six weeks - that’s more than if it had been a normal year. Five in one day on one occasion. If you don’t think these kids had to work hard then you’re sadly mistaken.

Karen Emmerson: Exactly poor kids worked harder than ever.

Rachael Savin: Teacher assessed can be misleading. They did exams and were marked with exam board criteria and grade boundaries. The only difference was not having the pressure of exam blocks and exam halls but the assessments were pretty intensive.

Bill Mcloughlin: Think coursework based is better especially at a level as most degrees focus on assignments so is accurate way of assessment.

Lynn Elliott: This is a very hard one. There is no easy answer that suits everyone but whatever they choose the decision needs to be earlier rather than later for the sake of everyone involved and not when the exam session starts.

Anthony Stamp: No. Memory tests are outdated. Continuous assessment is the best way to go.

Judith Evans: My granddaughter gained her A level results with hard work and dedication during the most difficult of times.

Abiy Orr: Not questioning the seriously hard work of pupils and teachers, but the more people giving out grades, the less consistent they’re going to be.

Paula Sharp: No. Best thing ever, too much pressure on exams. why should their lives be decided on one days piece of paper, they are still children.

Derek Dunn: Of course, because if the kids fail the teachers have failed.

Gemma Mclaren: I think it's too easy to pass blame. All did the best they could in an impossible situation.

Catherine Stead: Yes they have.