State of Education survey report 2016 | Page 8

Comments: 8 These surveys are capable of giving us early insight into the state of education in a way that the time-lagged, retrospective census data collected by government cannot. The removal of levels, new SATS, GCSE and A-level reforms have combined to create ballooning workloads for teachers. Whilst some of this work is transitory, it may still cause a spike in early retirements and teacher wastage more generally. When we set this against rising pupil rolls and an improving economy, the concern is that government has created a short-term crisis in teacher retention at exactly the time when recruitment to the profession is particularly hard." In terms of assessment, the issue is not the increase in standards, (we all want pupils to do well), it is the way the standards have been implemented and introduced – unrealistic at best. Children have been left to manage increased expectations with literally months to respond. Teachers are left with the task of unpicking (changing overnight) heightened expectations that leave them torn between needing to teach to the test and creating meaningful, real, learning experiences that inspire pupils.” David Sammels Headteacher, Mayflower Community Academy Dr Rebecca Allen Director, Education Datalab State of Education Survey 2016 | www.thekeysupport.com Find further comment at www.thekeysupport.com/blog