Feedback | 11 December 2004

Clarke v. Clark

Ross Clark is wrong to assert that the government exerts any influence over the value ascribed to exams in school performance tables (‘Lies, damned lies and education’, 20 November). He does a gross disservice to the pupils and teachers whose attainment he seeks to belittle.

The regulatory authority for public examinations — the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) — is responsible for the maintenance of examination standards. Its extensive programme to monitor standards over time does not support the contention that there has been a lowering of GCSE standards.

It is the QCA, not the government, which established and consistently maintained its judgment that six-unit GNVQs are deemed to be the equivalent of four GCSEs. Achievement in these qualifications is legitimately counted on this basis. To describe the qualification as training in how to use Microsoft Windows is nonsense — success requires problem-solving and the application of a range of skills in a variety of contexts.

The Ninestiles story is a remarkable one. Its last Ofsted report described the quality of teaching in the school as outstanding. Let’s celebrate excellence in our education.
Charles Clarke
Department for Education and Skills, London SW1

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