PUPILS awarded pass grades for their GCSEs in English and maths “are rationed,” with a grading system that fails a third of young people, an online conference of Britain’s biggest teaching union was told on Saturday.

Delegates to the National Education Union (NEU) special conference heard that one-third of all school students who take the examinations have to fail, on the orders of the Department for Education (DfE).

The policy was applied to assessments carried out this year when examinations were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The union, which has 461,000 members, will now launch an independent commission to investigate the effectiveness of SATs assessments.

NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “The GCSE and A-level grade fiasco this summer showed the fragility of a qualification system that puts all of its eggs in the timed exam basket.

“Even worse, the grades achieved by pupils each year are rationed. It is built into the awarding system that a third of young people must fail their GCSE English and maths, even though they may have achieved a standard that in a previous year would have been awarded a pass grade.

“How such an unjust and inequitable system can be tolerated by government is a mystery.

“Government needs to get a grip and recognise how vital it is that assessment and accountability reflects the times we are living in and ensures every pupil has a fair chance of success.

“The NEU will be setting up an independent commission to look into assessment, how to avoid the mistakes made during Covid, how to proceed while still in a pandemic and how we can build back better beyond Covid.” 

The conference also called for an end to cuts in education funding and in teachers’ pay, particularly in light of teachers’ efforts during the pandemic.

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “During Covid, the education workforce has worked tirelessly to ensure that education continues for children and young people. 

“[The teachers’] role in maintaining education during lockdown has been noted and welcomed by parents and wider society. 

“Now the government needs to recognise this as well. For too long, it has presided over funding cuts and cuts in pay, conditions and jobs for all education staff.”

In a statement, the DfE said that it expects exams to take place next year and continues to work with Ofqual and the exam boards on its approach.