I sympathise with A-level student Elizabeth Burn’s opinion that individuality, questioning and discussion are being squeezed out by the drive to achieve targets (“Grim regime that forces up results”, TES, August 18).
Certainly lower-grade passes have been devalued: who cares that a grade E at A-level is actually a pass when nearly a quarter get A grades?
The system is in many ways similar to the Stakhanovite systems used in the Soviet Union. Targets are set, pressure is applied to meet them, and quality suffers. If the targets are achieved, new, higher targets are set.
Grade inflation is built into the system, and teachers are turned into puppets.
Trevor Fisher
49 Lovatt Street
Stafford
