'So stressful' - teachers and pupils say new GCSEs are leading to burnout

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'So stressful' - teachers and pupils say new GCSEs are leading to burnout 4 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Alex Hartley News Impact The new GCSEs mean, in some subjects, up to 40% of the final grade is based on non-examined assessments (NEAs) Teachers are warning that new GCSE requirements in Wales are causing "intolerable strain", with more regular assessments leading to burnout among staff and pupils. The new qualifications , which began being implemented in Wales last September, place up to 40% of the final grade on non-examined assessments (NEAs) taken under teacher supervision. This means that, in some subjects, pupils are now doing up to 26 hours of assessments, over two years, during school hours.

It has led to calls for a review of the NEAs, after a survey of more than 400 teachers found widespread concerns about the volume of marking, moderation and administration required. An NEA is any type of assessment that is not a formal exam and includes oral assessments, fieldwork, portfolio work and practical assessments. Teachers of English, Welsh and Religious Studies reported the greatest number of issues - particularly citing an increase in classroom-based tests.

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English Language and Literature, which counts as two GCSEs, now requires students to do a total of 20 hours and 55 minutes in NEAs over two years, while in religious studies it is 12 hours. Welsh, as a GCSE taught in English-language schools, does not have any additional NEA requirements compared to the last academic year - but the Welsh qualification in Welsh-language schools, which also counts as two GCSEs, requires 26 hours of NEAs over the two years. Coursework made up a proportion of many of the previous GCSEs, but teachers have said there has been a big increase in NEA requirements, which now take up much more of their time.

Head teachers in Cardiff also sent a joint letter to the WJEC exam board and regulator Qualifications Wales, warning the reforms were placing schools "under extreme pressure" and "urgent action is needed to protect staff wellbeing and pupil learning". Both Qualifications Wales and the WJEC said they were aware of the concerns raised and were working with each other and schools to provide support. Jasmine, who attends Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic School, says she feels like she's "revising contantly" Nish, a Year 10 pupil at Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic School in Merthyr Tydfil, said the "stress gets to you".

"School is meant to be about learning, but every week feels like assessments. " If pupils miss an assessment, they have to make it up, often in their lunch breaks or after school. "I think I've only had a few sick days off, but just from those sick days, there's hours of work to catch up on," said Nish.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.