HC Deb 16 January 1976 vol 903 cc251-3W
Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of examinations at GCE and CSE level are currently based on continuous assessment rather than terminal examinations.

Miss Joan Lestor

CSE examinations often include forms of assessment other than terminal examinations, but normally in addition to terminal examinations. GCE examinations sometimes make similar provision, but to a smaller extent. I have, however, no exact information as to the use made of particular forms of assessment and it could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools in the United Kingdom have replaced conventional, terminal examinations with systems of continuous assessment.

Miss Joan Lestor

The great majority of secondary schools hold terminal examinations, but it is not unusual for the teacher's assessment of coursework —the work done by pupils during the year—to be combined with the examination results to produce final assessments. The extent to which coursework assessment has replaced terminal examinations is believed to be small. Schools are not required to provide my Department with this information and exact details could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Clemitson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken more closely to involve persons engaged in industry and commerce in the devising of examination and assessment procedures in schools and colleges.

Miss Joan Lestor

There is already a considerable degree of involvement. Industry and commerce are represented on the Schools Council and its committees which keep national school examination procedures under review on behalf of my right hon. Friend. They are also represented on all the CSE examining bodies. They are represented on a minority of the GCE examining bodies, but this is a matter for determination by those bodies.

Further education examining bodies normally enlist the aid of industrial and commercial interests in formulating examination procedures.

Other assessment procedures are determined locally.