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Professor Guy Claxton, a renowned academic has raised the issue that students who are spoonfed to pass exams in order to create high achievers, actually end up lacking confidence and struggle to cope at Oxbridge. Counselors at Oxford and Cambridge are also reporting an increase in the number of students seeking help due to a lack of resilience when it comes to coping with their studies.

The future of the Diploma program of the previous government in England remains in doubt with the new coalition government to still decide on the same. The main aim behind the Diploma program has been to accommodate both academic and vocational learning, and seems to have gained popularity with both teachers and students who have experienced it; however, all depends on the new government.

A local authority adviser reveals that schools are reluctant to accommodate traveler children since the institutions are under tremendous pressure to show improved results and attendance. Schools fear that the poor results and erratic attendance of traveler children would show the schools in a poor light in published rankings.

Independent evaluations reveal that the Government's plans to offer more personalized learning in schools are facing hurdles. The pilot scheme to provide one-to-one tuitions to pupils is affected by an acute shortage of tutors and trials of single-level tests, intended to replace the key stage 2 Sats tests, have produced poor and unreliable results.

Surveys of 16- to 18-year-old students show that they want to learn how to cope with and care for injuries, as violent crime and its effects are growing concerns within this age group. The article also discusses the impact of gangs and unemployment on this age group.

The curriculum of key stage 3 was being revised to reduce prescribed content, get rid of duplication of content amongst subjects and giving schools flexibility to plan teaching. However schools feel that the new curriculum that encourages cross-curricular teaching could be messed up.

The results declared on August 14, 2008 revealed that 97.2 percent of candidates passed the A-level exams. 26 percent of candidates got an A.

AQA and OCR both major examining boards in Britain have revealed that they have no plans to participate in marking of Sats examination papers in the future. This may leave the government with no choice but to continue with the American-owned firm ETS Europe, who are yet to declare the results of the key stage 3 Sats examination.

The confusion that prevails relevant to the Sats regime has held civil servants responsible for the chaos.

The Government's plans to introduce a second maths GCSE from 2010 appear to be shelved as the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's (QCA) revisions to the existing core maths GCSE do not include the proposal for the extra exam.

Fee-charging independent Wellington College will conduct classes for gifted pupils from local state secondaries from 2009 as part of the U.K. Government's Independent/State School Partnerships scheme. The scheme is meant to raise aspirations among gifted students in the area by exposing them to the benefits of an elite academic education.

Early signs from several local authorities indicate that key stage scores will remain static in 2008 and results will be below government targets as the return of Sats results to schools is marked with complaints and discrepancies.

Schools are complaining by email to the National Association of Head Teachers about the 2008 Sats results, with some primaries stating they had not received a full set of results and others raising concerns on the quality of marking.

School sixth forms face major funding deficits as the Government encourages students to continue their education beyond GCSE. Schools predict a 7 per cent rise in student numbers, and argue that the Learning and Skills Council's funding of only a 2 per cent rise in numbers could lead to a rationing of sixth form places and staff cuts for under 16s.

A new two-tier system to obtain a GCSE's in English will offer students a choice of three options. This system is expected to reduce the number of students opting for English literature.

The examination board Edexcel is pioneering the mechanization of exams in the U.K. through the use of electronic scanners and bar code systems to mark students' exam papers. A description of the marking system at the board's Hellaby exam paper processing center is provided.

Primary teachers in England will be able to earn Pounds Sterling 8000 extra over five years by training to become their school's expert on mathematics teaching through a summer holiday course.

The U.K. Government proposes that every school in England will have a senior teacher trained in 'assessment for learning' (AfL) by 2010 as part of plans to improve student achievement. However, the academics who created the term argue that this version of AfL is not true to its original goal of improving teaching methods.

An analysis of the contextual value-added scores of secondary schools facing the threat of closure under the Government's National Challenge reveals that nearly half of them are performing above the national average by an important Government benchmark.

Teachers appear disillusioned over the manner of recruitment of markers for the Sats papers in the summer of 2008. Some teachers have withdrawn their details and disassociated themselves from ETS Europe.

A major slip-up was detected at the OCR music exam conducted by the GCSE. Answers to questions were inadvertently printed on the reverse of the answer booklets, which gave students and advantage of around 14 marks.

Concerns have been raised over the quality of examiners who would be marking scripts of the Sats tests that are being conducted in 2008.

The growing trend of student-led inspections called 'Instead' as an alternative to Ofsted inspections is discussed. These student reviews allow for a relaxed atmosphere and also involve better cooperation between students and teachers aimed to improve the school's performance.

The role of Ofqual, the independent watchdog launched to replace the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, during exam result season is discussed. The Ofqual regulator is expected to make public communications about exam results and be involved in studies on maintenance of standards.

Markers are complaining about the inept organization of ETS Europe with respect to administrative problems, lack of communication over training and inadequate helplines. Several of them are quitting from key stage 2 and 3 tests marking although the company is working to solve the problems.

A report submitted by a committee of MPs has called for doing away with the current high-stakes test-driven system of education. This is in line with teachers' complaints about the system, and it remains to be seen whether appropriate actions will be taken on the report's recommendations.

Several markers of England's national tests have quit due to administrative blunders by ETS Europe, the company organizing the marking of key stage 2 and key stage 3 tests. They are objecting to the confusion over training and standardization processes for the markers.

The practice by which the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority stipulates in advance the Shakespearean play scenes in which pupils will be tested in key stage 3 (KS3) English national tests is discussed. Several theatre companies are also staging abbreviated versions of the plays in schools, focusing on the prescribed scenes in order to help the pupils in their tests.

The low scores of students in pilots for revised Sats tests are forcing officials to consider extending the time given to complete the tests. They would also enable teachers to allow only those students who are ready to attempt the tests.

The article examines the 'assessment for learning' approach that is increasingly being adopted by U.K. schools and its potential impact on teaching practices and outcomes.

Professor Ewart Keep asserts that the failure of thousands of pupils to leave school without gaining any G grade GCSEs can be attributed to their 'chaotic' lives outside school rather than to teachers or government policies.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is on 'red alert' as its imminent move from London to Coventry coincides with changes in its role as the regulatory organization splits into two. Major concerns involve the controversial decision to introduce diplomas as an alternative to GCSEs and A-levels.

A study in England has revealed that excessive testing and cramming compared to practical work in science causes students interest to wane.

Authorities have cautioned that there could be drop in the number of students opting for A-levels following the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and other equivalent qualifying exams.

The changes in the market demand prompt awarding bodies to agree to structural changes within the GCSE.

The installation of closed circuit TV cameras is being examined as an option to eliminate unfounded accusations against invigilators and students.

The exam officers have threatened to resign following the government's proposal to drastically reduce payments. This is expected to affect the whole system as well as other courses.

The British government proposes to make vocational qualifications relevant to work-related diploma courses besides other changes that are expected to benefit students.

New reforms being introduced in the educational system will permit students to mix and match diploma and vocational courses and then transfer the credits earned between courses.

Teachers believe that a gentle approach to control unruly students does not work and the traditional method of asking pupils to just be quiet and obey was the best approach.

The confusion exists over the names of schools that will be teaching new diplomas introduced by the British government from 2009 despite inclusion in the list.

A survey finds that more than three-quarters of teachers in the U.K. feel that the Government's emphasis on tests to raise achievement is harming students' enjoyment of education. However, the findings also suggest that, overall, most students are happy.

Examination boards across the U.K. are worried that the new independent exams regulator, Ofqual, could result in students being awarded millions of pounds in compensation for incorrect marking.

The exam board Edexcel is being investigated by Qualifications and Curriculum Authority over its grading procedure after the downgradation of several A-level art and design exams.

An analysis of 2003-06 test papers reveals that 'cheap and reliable' Key Stage 3 science tests do not test pupils' analytical skills but do most of their thinking by providing suggestions for answers.

The low demand for modern language GCSEs among pupils has led to a decrease in the number of applicants willing to train as secondary modern language teachers.

Survey results reveal that most parents are happy with their children's schools, as are teachers and secondary pupils schools, although bullying at school remains a concern.

Statistics reveal that a record number of 61.5% pupils have gained five or more good GCSEs or vocational equivalent in 2007, thereby achieving the U.K. Government's 2008 target of 60% a year early.

An expansion of the U.K. Government's revised work-related diploma qualification that would include all academic subjects from 2011 is discussed. This would lead to more work for heads and appropriate training for teachers.

The lukewarm reception from students to work-related diploma courses that are expanded to include academic subjects is discussed.