Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has become co-chair of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Schools Learning and Assessment.
The inaugural meeting took place this week with Labour MP Emma Hardy nominated as co-chair.
The aim of the group is to promote and support school level education and the quality of learning and assessment for all pupils.
Flick is at the forefront of a campaign to scrap GCSEs and replace them with assessment at 18 now young people are expected to stay in education or training until that age.
She has previously said that GCSEs waste valuable time and are unfit for purpose in the 21st century. She would like it replaced with exams at 18 that reflect the path pupils chose at 14 using a 14-18 curriculum that is broad and relevant.
“I am really pleased to be chair of this new APPG which I know will look very closely at how we can end examinations at 16 among other important issues such as assessment standards,” said Flick.
“Reform of the assessment system is one of the reasons I came into politics. There is work to do to persuade the government but several commissions have now reported back that assessment at 18 would be better.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to look at this important area of our education system and make it the best it can be for our young people going forward.”
The National Education Union (NEU) is the secretariat for the group. It will arrange meetings and formally administer any business.
