Primary assessment stripped back
Assessment has been the big issue this year, with the DfE encouraging schools to innovate and approach it with fresh eyes, free from the constraints of levels.
The Pearson School Report 2025
Sharing more voices than ever before...
Discover the fourth edition of the Pearson School Report. Over 14,000 voices, including teachers, learners, colleges, tutors and home educators, joined the conversation.
What’s really happening in UK colleges today
Perspectives on life and learning in further education
The new Pearson College & Schools Report reveals how students and tutors see learning today and how colleges are adapting to tech, expectations and careers.
Multi-Academy Trusts
Supporting transformation and improvement across your trust
Every trust has a unique set of needs. That’s why we’ll work with you to create the best package of teaching, learning and training solutions for your schools, teachers and learners.
Curriculum and Assessment Review
A milestone for education and skills in the UK – and it’s just the start. As we turn recommendations into further action, we’ll keep working with students, teachers, partners and sector experts to drive manageable and truly impactful change.
Digital in schools
Our brand-new research with Cebr outlines how investment in digital transformation for state-funded UK schools could make a difference to the future of education and our economy.
Exploring onscreen assessment
We’re drawing on our experience of delivering onscreen assessments in more than 115 countries to shape what’s next for GCSE, International GCSE and A level exams.
As well as already offering onscreen exams in selected subjects, we're working alongside the education community to harness technology where it can positively impact schools' and students' assessment experiences.
Why we’re thoughtfully optimistic about the place of GenAI in education
Generative AI brings into focus the importance of the most human skills, such as creativity and critical thinking.
Find out more about how we’re thinking about the impact of GenAI and AI literacy in education.
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How obligatory are the writing exemplification materials?
Well, that is the billion dollar question. The introduction to the materials states in no uncertain terms that schools and LAs must refer to them to ensure that their TA judgements are accurate and standardised across and between schools - which actually makes sense.
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Ofsted myths and facts on assessment
We’re still hearing from lots of teachers that they’re not completely sure what Ofsted is expecting to see in terms of assessment practice and are worried about fallout from Ofsted at their next inspection.
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Pearson recognised by Ofqual as provider of new GCSEs from 2015
Ofqual has accepted Pearson's application to be recognised to offer the new GCSE 9 to 1 qualifications. Confirmation was received on 13 May 2014.
New qualifications in English language, English literature and mathematics will be rolled out from September 2015, subject to accreditation, with the first awards being made in the summer of 2017. Further subjects will follow a year later. The reformed qualifications will have a numbered grading system, from 9 to 1 (with 9 being the highest grade available).
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BBC and Pearson College launch new apprenticeship scheme for the business managers of the future
The BBC and Pearson College have joined forces to launch a Higher Apprenticeship and degree programme for business management in the creative industries.
- This is a unique opportunity for talented young apprentices to earn while they learn and get a high-quality university degree.
- Participants gain both a Pearson College Business Management Degree and a Leadership and Management Higher Apprenticeship.
- Work placements at the BBC will provide enviable experience of working at the heart of the media industry.
- First degree-level Business scheme to be offered by the BBC.
- Two-year scheme opens up entry to the brightest from all backgrounds.
- Applications are open from 14 April until 4 May 2014.
The two-year scheme targets those without a degree and opens up entry into the creative industries to the broadest range of backgrounds.
Alongside teaching at Pearson College to understand key aspects of business – from management and leadership to business law – successful candidates will have the opportunity to develop hands-on experience through three placements within the BBC. These will take place within three of five areas: Television, Marketing and Audiences, Future Media, Policy and Strategy, or Worldwide.
The scheme provides a Leadership and Management Higher Apprenticeship incorporating a Pearson College BA (Hons) Business Management* degree with all fees paid, validated by Ashridge Business School, one of the world's leading business schools.
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Business and Higher Education appeal for long-term view of education to support economic growth
A new report published today urges the government to radically overhaul the way the current school curriculum is developed to ensure it better meets the needs of the future economy.
The report, 'Making Education Work,' follows a six-month review of England’s education system by an independent advisory group consisting of prominent business leaders and chaired by leading academic Professor Sir Roy Anderson.
The report's key recommendations are:
- A cross-party body should ensure the school curriculum is aligned to the future economy.
- A levels should be slowly replaced with a Baccalaureate system.
- The importance of interpersonal skills should be recognised and evidenced.
With the content of the school curriculum continuing to change with each new administration, the report recommends the establishment of a new independent body, made up of teachers, employers, higher education and importantly, political parties. The new group would aim to establish a long-term political consensus on the school curriculum, with ultimate responsibility for delivering and assessing that curriculum continuing to be vested in the government.
The Making Education Work report also recommends:
- The A level system should slowly change to a baccalaureate-type system which supports a broader curriculum, to keep career options open and enable flexibility in later life.
- England should formally adopt a formal framework for key competences, to include important attributes like team working, which are predicted to become increasingly important in the job market.
- The testing of higher level reasoning skills, rather than just knowledge of theory or facts, should carry greater weight in qualifications, as more roles in the future will require these skills.
