TEACHERS in East Lancashire say bright pupils should not be pushed into taking GCSE exams before their last year at school.

Andrew Jones, Secretary of the NASUWT union in East Lancashire, says teachers should be cautious about encouraging the increasing trend for bright youngsters to take their exams early.

Mr Jones said schools are not just about learning and qualifications, but also about personal development.

He added: "This is one of those ideas that sounds fine but needs careful consideration.

"There may be special cases, but early entry for GCSE should only be encouraged where positive benefit can be seen for the individual pupil, the class and the school.

"Exams are important but there is more to school, including a child's personal and social development. That can be held back by early exam pressure cooking." He has also raised the issue of what happens to children once they have taken a GCSE a year early.

He said: "What do they do next? A mix of some GCSE and A level subjects, or all A level? And where?

"The practical problems need to be thought through. A secondary school, especially one without post 16 classes, will have difficulty in identifying and staffing an acceptable post-GCSE curriculum for early entry successes.

"If large numbers are involved, the choice would be between piecemeal provision for the 16-year-olds or early entries effectively sabotaging the school leaving age and becoming early leavers."

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