If the marking of this summer’s GCSE English literature exams is anything to go by, Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference schools reported problems in 21 cases (AQA) and 28 cases (OCR). The number for Edexcel was a mere two letters of concern. Edexcel’s use of ePEN technology (which supports but does not replace markers) seems to be improving the reliability of marking. This deserves a more positive response than some of the knee-jerk reactions reported in last week’s TES.

Geoff Lucas Secretary, HMC, Market Harborough, Leicestershire