There is a great deal of debate about the problem of educating and assessing the abilities of children because of the COVID-19 disruption. Some children are anxious because they will not be sitting exams; others fear that the exams they took as mock exams may be use by teachers in their assessment to determine their grades. I propose that a new exam be created called a “general assessment” which is given to all children to show their capabilities. It should not be taught and prepared for in the way G.C.S.E. and A Levels are. Academic subjects should be taught in the same way as now but with emphasis on facts, especially at GC.S.E., and giving a rounded enjoyment of subjects not simply teaching to exams. The General Assessment should contain various elements or divisions, some of which should be compulsory, including mathematical problems, use of english and english literature, problem solving, science, design and creativity and practical intelligence and emotional intelligence. Others could be optional, perhaps languages, musical aptitudes, horticulture, etc. Each division would have graded questions becoming progressively harder, each with a core of questions and then optional ones for pupils who felt this was a strong point of theirs. There should only be one version of the assessment taken by all pupils, not different ones for different boards, and the aim should be that children find out what career path would suit them as well as showing employers and universities who would best fit for them.
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