Bedales spearheads new movement for education reform

A meeting of leading educationalists brought together by Bedales Director of Learning and Innovation Alistair McConville is calling for GCSEs to be replaced. The group is planning to publish a manifesto and engage in research on alternative models of assessment.

Participants included former Education Secretary Lord Baker, who introduced GCSEs to the curriculum in 1988, Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, leader of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the University of Cambridge, Professor Bill Lucas, of Winchester University’s Centre for Real World Learning, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, together with Magnus Bashaarat, Head of Bedales and other headteachers from state and independent schools.

With exams cancelled this Summer due to COVID-19 restrictions, and awards being based on teacher assessments, the group is calling for a permanent change to the curriculum and assessment regime. Bedales introduced its own UCAS recognised GCSE alternatives in 2006.  

The full article can be read in the TES here (subscription may be required).

TES | Bedales Assessed Courses | Alistair McConville