Headteacher's comment: Kyle Jonathan, Swanmore College '“Â Pupils bear the brunt of increasing pressure
For instance, in Mathematics, the curriculum has changed to include content that was previously taught at '˜A' level!
In addition, the amount of examination time has increased by approximately 30%, to reflect the increased and more difficult content -Â however, the number of lessons in a day has remained the same.
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Hide AdMirror this across all other subjects and then ask yourself 'how can we expect pupils to cope'?
As educators, we must look at the bigger picture. You cannot keep expecting pupils to learn more information, in the same time period, to achieve the high grades that are required for the colleges and universities without either reducing the curriculum or watching them spread themselves too thinly.
What is more important? Do you give pupils the time to devote to fewer subjects, which have more examinations and more content, or do you continue to make them study a larger number of subjects in the interests of providing a broad and balanced curriculum?
This is the kind of pressure which schools now face when designing their curriculum. It is an enormous responsibility. Whatever we decide, it is our pupils who will feel it most. It is imperative that we consider the issue carefully and make the right decision for our children's future.