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

'So stressful' - teachers and pupils say new GCSEs are leading to burnout4 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAlex HartleyNews ImpactBBCThe 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.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...