Confidence in exams system 'less'

Mr Watson said there was uncertainty about the assessment system

Public confidence in the examinations system has dwindled, the head of a leading exams board has said.

Greg Watson, chief executive of the OCR exam board, said the public was uncertain as to whether the system was performing the right role.

Mr Watson also raised concerns about the use of league tables and how these can put teachers under pressure.

The government says it set up watchdog Ofqual to promote trust in exams by ensuring standards were maintained.

Speaking at the Westminster Education Forum in central London, Mr Watson said: "Public trust seems to have got less.

"I don't think the public believe it is all terrible, but there is terrible uncertainty in the public's view whether the assessment system is doing what we hope and is sound."

Time and again A-levels have been shown to be robust and rigorous Schools Minister Vernon Coaker

Public confidence in national curriculum tests - Sats - was dented in 2008 when hundreds of thousands of 11 and 14-year-olds in England were left waiting months for their marks from the exams.

The tests for 14-year-olds were subsequently abolished.

Mr Watson expressed concern about the pressure on schools to meet targets and perform well in league tables.

He said teachers were continually having to show what their young people had learned.

"Teachers feel that, because of accountability measures, because of the pressure of league tables within which exam results are used to measure teachers, schools against other schools and local authorities against other local authorities, that somehow they feel they are too much driven to deliver exam results in order to justify themselves."

Mr Watson said that while A-levels were suitable for the majority of candidates, they were not the best examination for everyone and suggested these pupils should sit another qualification.

A-Levels 'compromised'

"A-levels, which started pretty much as a qualification to gain university entry, have become widened to take in a broader group of students," he said.

"That's compromised the ability of A-levels to be the ideal entry point for university courses."

However, Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said: "It is absolutely right that the exam system needs high public confidence - that's why we have set up Ofqual as an independent regulator with tough powers to maintain standards.

"Time and again A-levels have been shown to be robust and rigorous; backed by universities; and supported by the public.

"We know A-levels are not for everyone - that is why we have a broad range of qualifications on offer, including Diplomas, and have just set out plans for a complete overhaul in careers and exam advice so young people make the right choices."