Government insults teachers yet again!

It would be interesting to hear why ministers actually think that the giving of "advance warning of examination topics" and permission to use "exam aids" will be "of greatest benefit to those who have suffered most" (Students in England to be told exam topics next year, 03/12/20). These changes, coupled with "more generous grading", will, of course, be advantageous to all pupils, so the ones who have missed the least face-to-face teaching, with the most privileged home backgrounds, and from schools where staffing problems have had least effect, will still receive the highest grades. What Williamson is, in effect, doing is two things; firstly, he is displaying what few other experienced educationalists are prepared to do, and that is showing total faith in the fairness of the UK`s examination system, when it is guided by norm-referencing in the grading procedure, and is different for most pupils in the private sector. Secondly, by refusing to acknowledge that moderated teacher-assessed grades would be the fairest way out of the Covid-related dilemma, the education secretary exhibits his lack of trust in the judgement and professionalism of the teaching profession. Given the immense stress and mental health issues caused by the GCSE and A-level examinations, Williamson has missed a wonderful opportunity to start a process which could provide all pupils with a broad and balanced education, with an assessment programme based on fairness, and allowing all pupils to realise their full potential.