Industry News
Conservatives advocate exam cuts
Posted on 25th May 2007
The Conservative Party has outlined plans to reduce the number of exams undertaken by school pupils in a bid to combat perceived over-testing.
A Conservative government, while emphasising the importance of testing at ages seven and 11, would abandon the key stage tests currently taken by 14-year-olds, policy officials have suggested to the Times.
The proposals are expected to be included in a report due to be published this summer, and are thought to include the implementation of more rigorous assessments conducted by teachers in place of the exams.
"The education policy group is looking at this idea, amongst others, and it is one we will consider carefully when they report in the summer," said a spokesman for the party, speaking to the Guardian.
Writing on the Conservative party website last week, leader David Cameron added that the party was also in favour of introducing a "zero tolerance" policy on foul language and bad behaviour in the classroom.