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Brightest pupils 'not pushed enough' by GCSEs, says head

Posted on 21st August 2008

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The headmaster of Brighton College has raised concerns about the standard of GCSEs.

Richard Cairns told the Daily Mail that he believes that his pupils have not been pushed enough by the current syllabus.

At the co-educational private school, 40 per cent of pupils achieved no less than an A in any subject.

"GCSEs are a useful and sensible exam for the majority, but probably do not stretch the brightest as much as they should," he told the paper.

He noted that his best-performing students could have done their GCSEs in advance and then been given the chance to push themselves further.

This opportunity, he notes, will be offered by the new modular GCSEs, which will allow pupils to take the exams in year ten, then move on to AS-levels and Pre-U courses in year 11.

Earlier this week members of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference raised concerns that modular GCSEs will increase the pressure on staff and pupils.
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