I questioned the Education Minister today on concerns students raised with me as part of my 2017 Big Conversation, about the transition away from coursework to exam-only assessments.

As part of the Big Conversation, I visited a number of secondary schools across Sheffield Central meeting with Y12 and Y13 students, who raised their concerns about the move from assessment involving coursework to dependence on final closed exams.

I conveyed their concerns to the House of Commons, telling Education Minister, Nick Gibb MP:

“I recently held meetings with Year 12 and Year 13 students in schools across my constituency and one of the issues that concerned them all was the move away from coursework to closed exams, believing that it provides an incomplete assessment of their abilities; discriminates against those unwell on the day of an exam and is a contributory pressure in growing mental health problems. Will the Minister look at their concerns?”

I was disappointed that the Minister didn’t engage with the concerns of students in Sheffield schools. They raised real issues which deserve a proper answer. I’ll continue to push Ministers to take their points seriously.