Scrapping levels won’t benefit students, say heads in major survey
Of those surveyed, 49 per cent claimed that the government’s decision to abolish levels and allow schools to set up their own assessment systems will only serve to increase teacher workload, which is already under pressure.
In the poll of 935 heads, deputies and assistant heads, 12 per cent of those surveyed said that their school would be continuing to use the levels system even though it does not match the new national curriculum. A further seven per cent said their school is still undecided about what to do.
The survey found that a large majority of schools do have a new assessment system in place with the most popular solution proving to be buying in systems from external organisations.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT, said: “We should not mourn the end of levels, but the mode of their passing left much to be desired. Teachers can do better than levels; the trouble is, they are not left to their own devices.
“Accountability looms over any choices that schools make about assessment – they know they will be called on many times to provide quantifiable data on progress and predictions of performance. For this reason, schools needed more clarity on the transition and direction of travel.”
Latest News
01/10/2025 - 10:23
The Welsh Government has agreed to continue a licensing deal which will give all learners at Welsh state schools free access to Microsoft 365 at school and at home.
01/10/2025 - 09:51
Schools will play a greater role in ensuring every pupil has a clear post-16 destination, with a new approach to a guaranteed college or FE provider place available as a safety net being tested.
30/09/2025 - 09:51
The Chancellor has committed over £10 million in funding to guarantee a library for all primary schools by the end of this parliament.
30/09/2025 - 09:45
New data from Ofqual shows that schools and colleges across England are making progress in cyber security training, but are struggling to recover quickly from attacks when they occur.
29/09/2025 - 10:34
Low-income White children (LIWC) are among the least engaged pupils in England’s schools, according to new research.
