Daily summary of the latest news and opinions from the world of independent education brought to you by Education Advisers...  

Ofqual is considering a change to the grading of A levels in modern languages and the sciences to address concerns about low numbers of pupils studying the subjects.

Speaking at Ofqual’s summer symposium in London, Richard Garrett, director of policy and strategic relationships, explained that the regulator is exploring ‘inter-subject comparability’, or whether it is possible to make the different exam subjects easier to compare.

So far Ofqual has decided against trying to align standards across the full range of subjects, but it is looking into “exceptional” or “compelling” cases for adjusting grade standards.

It has begun this process by looking into A level physics, chemistry, biology, French, German and Spanish – with languages looking most likely to change.

Fifty-nine university lecturers from 36 different institutions reviewed candidates’ A-level work from last year, which Ofqual said led to “some evidence” that it would be acceptable to make “boundary adjustments” in some subjects.

Garrett explained that “there was more of a tolerance for adjustments to grading standards in A level languages than those in sciences” – although this did vary by single subjects

Statistical evidence shows sciences are among the most severely graded subjects at A-level, and languages were not far behind.

Entries for A level science have plateaued since 2014 and there has been a decline in entries for A level French and German since 2008.

Read more: https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofqual-mulls-grading-change-for-language-and-science-a-levels/

'Open to new ideas': What does teacher's report really mean?

It's that time of year again. Teachers up and down the land have been slaving over their end-of-year reports and parents are eagerly awaiting to hear whether or not their little angels are top of the class.

But what does "full of self-confidence" or "lively and enthusiastic" really mean?

We asked one teacher - who goes under the name of Mrs Smith - to let us know what those positive-spin comments actually mean.

Here are her thoughts:

  • Is a sociable member of the class: Doesn't really come to school to work, much prefers having a gossip in the toilets
  • Knows their own mind: Not particularly good at doing what they are asked to do
  • Always enthusiastic when working in a group: Likes to be in charge, a proper bossy boots
  • Full of self-confidence: A little too arrogant and won't take being told they are wrong

Read more of her thoughts here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44400892