30 September 2021

Pearson Education published its interim Future of Qualifications & Assessment report following the launch of a national consultation in February 2021. The independent expert advisory panel will continue to play an important role in the next phase of the project as we look ahead to the recommendations that will be published in Autumn 2021.

Earlier this year, Pearson Education published its interim Future of Qualifications & Assessment report following the launch of a national consultation in February 2021. The project is now well into the research phase and Pearson expect to publish the final report by the end of 2021. The project is guided by an independent expert advisory panel that includes Dr Mick Walker, President of the CIEA.

The aim of the consultation was to provide a better understanding of what a more effective system of assessment and qualification for young people between 14 and 19 might look like and how to successfully put it in place. This is against the backdrop of the pandemic resulting in the cancellation of exams for the past two years which has sharpened the debate on assessment.

Key findings from the consultation include:

  • People believe there is too much weight on exams.
  • Employers think students need broader, deeper knowledge and skills.
  • Academic qualifications alone aren’t preparing students for jobs of the future.
  • Perceived lack of choice in curriculum when it comes to the range of subjects available to study or the qualifications available.
  • Qualifications are valuable.
  • Career path is the biggest factor behind qualification choices.
  • More innovation with technology is needed:

Lord Blunkett, an expert panellist who is contributing to the consultation, said: “From across the education ecosystem, the message is clear: the change to assessments and qualifications needs to amount to an evolution of the current system rather than a complete revolution – leading to radical change but without disruption.

“It is important not to narrow options and create a rigid artificial divide between vocational and academic which puts tidiness before the needs of students today and in an ever-changing future.

“It is critical that we broaden the debate on education to ensure we have a system in place that effectively serves society. Our young people require a system that means they can flourish in later life and Pearson’s consultation has effectively bought together key voices needed to achieve that.”

Pearson's methodology mirrors OECD guidelines for a ‘bottom-up’ approach to affecting change in education - surveying 5,000 individuals, including students aged 14-19, young people aged 19-23, parents, teachers, higher education professionals and employers

The independent expert advisory panel has played an instrumental role throughout the consultation, taking part in four round table discussions to the report findings. They will continue play an important role in the next phase of the project as we look ahead to the recommendations that will be published in Autumn 2021.

To learn more about the Future of Qualifications and Assessment research project, visit: https://www.pearson.com/uk/news-and-policy/future-of-assessment.html