GCSE grade change 'stopped boy getting apprenticeship'

“Just an aside to the discussion. ( Apart from the fact that you sit an exam and either get the required mark and pass, or you don't and fail, no matter how " lovely" you are ). I seem to remember some years ago that there were league tables published and that Cefn Hengoed came top in one. Absenteeism.
No doubt Mrs Hollister has sorted this problem out, and now that the majority of her pupils attend regularly, she expects that they should all recieve a qualification based on attendance.”

“Is this silly topic still doing the rounds?
Teachers become clairvoyants? Exam Boards move the goalposts? Only definate is pupils not working hard enough to get a good mark.
I sat my exams in 1959 when it was pass or fail no in between,let's get back there for sanity sake!”

“It's no wonder that Welsh education is lagging behind Europe, and even England, when you look at the totally incompetent buffoon Leighton Andrews. He is totally clueless about what needs to be done, Welsh Labour, just like Labour in England have been moving the goalposts for exam results for years to make it look like students are doing better than they really are. So much so that a place at university has been devalued by making exams so easy that practically anyone can go, rather than the top students who fully deserve to go. Not every student is university material, and nor should they be. Until Wales gets an education minister that knows what he/she is doing Wales will carry on falling behind everyone else.”

“Ah the old epistemlogical claim of the practical arts and the validity of learning styles. Vocational learning and academic learning - what have they got in common? They are both forms of learning. The problem with "comp" school is the abundance of coercion - you must study this and that in silos. WHY? Why not create authentic learning environments and ditch the silo mentality? Problem - UNIONS!! They just don't do change.”

“brochadav vocational training does take place at most comp schools. Children of lesser abilities are shipped out a few days a week to local firms for them to gain experience. Personally I would rather more time was spent educating these children in the core subjects, this will be of greater use throughout their lives. I think it's just wrong to right children off as a failure at a young age.”

“Our son is 4 years old and I have no confidence our education system will be good enough for his needs. His current school is fantastic but when he moves to comp is when the problems will begin.
I see a lot of what our children are taught as pointless and careers advice could be a lot better too.
If children are not good academically why insist they learn things of no use to them, why not start vocational training at school. Yes it would be expensive but leaving school with a skill is better than a row of D's, or lower, on a piece of paper.
I honestly believe Andrews is doing what he thinks best and I have serious doubts about Gove. The fact is though, our children are being seriously let down. us parents have to speak up, we also have to give what help we can to our children and not just rely on school. Learning to read, write and count can be started at home before school, any headstart is better than none.”

“Personaly I think Wales should stick with the GCSE, it's an internationally recognized exam. As Penyfai pointed out to us "The GCSE is offered the world over. In fact the the best schooling system in the world offers GCSEs". If the English want to go off on a limp and change for the sake of change let them i say.

NB No doubt in 2015 when Labour gain control of the English parliament it will all be up in the air again. I of course say English parliament as increasingly Westminster only deals with English matters, IE Health and Education plus all the other devolved areas's”

“Ah Greta - an alternative opinion challenging the medocrity of the status quo must be "bias or grudge" LOL. Good luck with that! As for O levels - I am not obsessed with GCSEs or O levels. I do not support the damage being done to children's education in Wales either. Independence or lack of it will be fun to watch, just "keep on keeping on". Wales' education system is letting children down whilst nationalism is the priority. But hey ho you keep comparing yourself to England if that what truly floats your boat!”

“Neathboy234
Scheduled for intro in autumn 2015.
Gove has the backing of Clegg.
Just where our current Sec of State for Education will be in 3 years time is anybody's guess but, I would prefer him to be packed back into the suitcase with Archie Andrews and the other vent dummies.”

“Penyfai interesting news from England(u know the place i'm obsessed with lol). It now looks as if this week they will announce the end of the GCSE, and replace it with the old ) level. If the GCSE is so good and offered all over the world, then why are they getting rid of it. One thing it will do is increase the differences between England and wales, music to the ears of all Plaid supporters i'm sure”