There are only 2 days left until the 1st of May, which signalises the coming of summer season. As the lengthy summer holidays are Britons’ favourite school break, it brings excitement to students with an anticipation for their vacation. However, Year 11 students have their GCSEs within a month’s time and everyone has the end-of-year exam in late May. For example, the main summer exams will run from Monday 15th May to Thursday 29th June in Coombe Girl’s school. Similarly, the exam season will begin will begin on 22nd May in Surbiton High School.  

This year’s GCSEs seems to be more worrisome due to the recent changes to the specimen and grading system of the GCSESs. The current Year 11 students are the first year to have modified GCSE English literature, English language and Mathematics. With the introduction of the numerical grading system, the boundary between grades seem unclear, although exam boards have released rough guidelines. It has faced the public’s criticism that it is unnecessary and over-encourages competition amongst students as the grade 9 is assigned to only top 2% of students in the UK.

In addition, the introduction of closed book examinations for GCSE English Literature has raised many people’s eyebrows and caused a strong condemnation. For example, over 110,273 signatures have been signed for the petition against the policy which is a strong indication of the public’s feelings towards the alteration. This therefore lead to a parliamentary debate on authorising ‘open book examinations for GCSE English Literature on April 24th. Helen Jones, the MP of Warrington North, suggested that ‘there is no getting away from the fact that being good at English literature requires some feats of memory, but that is not all we should try to test.’ Likewise, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck, the MP of South Shields, urged the Government to realise ‘the problems they are creating for huge numbers of our children and their English literature education.’ It could therefore be worth reconsidering possible consequences and effectiveness of the new policy.

Cindy Kim, Surbiton High School