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Easy GCSE claims "insulting", says Seldon

Posted on 22nd August 2008

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It is "insulting" to students and teachers to suggest that GCSE results have improved because the papers have become easier.

This is according to Anthony Seldon, the master of prestigious private school Wellington College.

Writing in the Times Educational Supplement, he attributes this year's record success rate to a number of factors.

The first is "more targeted teaching on the precise requirements to achieve the better grades".

This, Mr Seldon notes, is a recent development, as is the increasing use of modules, which also improves the chance of success.

Students today "are simply better prepared technically", he states, comparing their achievements to the medal-winners at the 2008 Olympics.

"It's no more fair to blame the pupils for grade inflation than it is the athletes in Beijing," the private school head argues.

A number of independent schools have abandoned the GCSE in favour of the IGCSE, claiming that it is a more rigorous assessment.
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