Ofsted warns new GCSE threatens chance of a ‘balanced’ education

The chief inspector of schools, Amanda Spielman, has warned that the new GCSE exams are threatening the chances of pupils receiving a “broad and balanced” education.

Spielman stated that she is worried that subjects like art, music, sport and drama are being neglected as schools narrow down GCSE courses.

The Telegraph has reported that the new GCSE’s, which grade pupils on a 9 -1 system opposed to the traditional A* - G, will make it more difficult for schools to reach national benchmarks, with more than half expected to fall short.

This means teachers could be encouraged to teach even more closely to the exam syllabus, Mrs Spielman warned.

She said: “The real substance of education is getting lost in our schools, with schools now finding it hard to make sure they put children’s interests first and think and children, children, children.”

Spielman also says that the strict “teaching to test” attitude has spread to primary schools where eight and nine-year-olds are going through three years of mock papers to prepare for exams they will not sit until the age of 11.