Former education secretary Michael Gove's reforms to GCSEs get their first full test this summer, two years after sweeping changes were implemented
But teachers are concerned about the impact of the overhaul on vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs.
The Association of School and College Leaders said the overhaul"sacrificed the interests" of vulnerable pupils for the"supposed benefits of raising the bar for the most able". Of 500 ASCL members questioned, 98% said the new courses were harder, and 80% said students with lower prior attainment were detrimentally affected.
One assistant headteacher said:"These have been designed without a thought for low prior attaining or SEN students. I cannot think of anything more dispiriting than going through school thinking every day 'I cannot do this' - but that is the reality for many students."A different survey by the National Education Union found that 73% of its members thought pupil mental health was worse thanks to the new GCSEs.
In the poll, 64% of 650 teachers said the reformed courses reflected pupils' abilities less accurately than in their former guise.Speaking about the ASCL survey, a department for education spokesman said:"Exams are an essential part of ensuring that young people have acquired the knowledge and skills they need, but should never be at the expense of a young person's wellbeing.
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