Teaching IGCSE - Why wouldn't you?

The last dozen or so years have seen an ever-increasing rate of change in our UK education system, not least of all at Key Stage 4 level. Accompanying the multitude of innovations has been an unrelenting pressure on all involved, including the students, teachers and teaching establishments. When it seems like we have only just assimilated one set of changes, along comes the next.

Controversy

As science teachers we almost silently embraced the socio-scientific issues thrust upon us without much of an outcry. It is difficult to argue against the idea that we should be educating our students to take their place in society, but I am one amongst many that would delight in the removal of global warming and the like from the assessment of any chemistry course that I teach. 

Controlled Assessment Units (CAU) were introduced into sciences to replace GCSE coursework and possibly eliminate the problems of plagiarism. Should such written examination papers - seen by the teacher before the students sit them - be done during the course at whatever time or place deemed most appropriate by each individual teacher and not in examination rooms at the same time by all across the country? Is this fair? In addition, there is the feeling that CAUs are significantly eroding the time available to teach and educate properly. 

However, a relatively recent set of changes may offer a chance to relieve some of the pressures for at least a number of those involved.