Exam Reform

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Monday 17th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I absolutely agree and would say two things. First, the efforts being made to improve access to broadband across the country will help to ensure better internet access for every family. Secondly, improving education in a child’s early years is critical. That is why we are extending the number of hours of pre-school learning available for disadvantaged two-year-olds, and why we are ensuring that the early years foundation stage is more rigorous.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be aware of the investigation by The Daily Telegraph into the conduct of exam boards last year. One examiner was recorded as saying that the exam in question had so little content he was surprised it got through, and other examiners were caught telling teachers which questions to expect in that year’s exams. Will the Secretary of State assure the House that the reforms will end the ludicrous situation in which exam boards compete with each other in a race to the bottom to offer the easiest exams to schools?

[Michael Gove]

My hon. Friend is to be congratulated on the clarity of his question and the cogency of his argument, as is The Daily Telegraph on the public benefit that accrued from its investigation.