Exposure (2011)

Making The Grades (5x8)

Date de diffusion: Août 12, 2015

"Because of Government policy, schools… are almost invited to manipulate controlled assessment marks in order for them to hit their targets, and if they hit targets they get money.” - Former chief examiner John Neild This new documentary in the Exposure current affairs strand investigates allegations of exam malpractice by some teachers and schools. Reporter Julie Etchingham hears concerns that increasing pressure on schools has resulted in the establishments dishonestly ramping up marks in order to push them up the league tables and get more money from the Government. Critics say that this ‘money-for-marks’ culture is piling on pressure to achieve unrealistic results - either by teachers over-marking or getting students to sit the same test again and again until the desired outcome is achieved. One former inspector says he has seen teachers and teaching assistants finishing coursework on behalf of students. And experts say the combination of league tables, Ofsted inspections, and financial penalties applied to schools which are not seen to be doing well have led to a change in teachers’ mindsets, leading them to focus on results over quality of education.