Following a number of reforms to the Secondary curriculum, as well as policy proposals around EBacc, NAHT has released its report following a survey of secondary school leaders. Respondents were asked their views on EBacc, AS/A-Levels, transition and mental health and wellbeing in secondary schools.

NAHT's Limited Choices report highlights that:

EBacc

• The majority of individuals (87%) are opposed to the proposal that at least 90% of students in mainstream secondary schools should be entered for the EBacc.
• Of those that responded, 79% reported a negative impact of the EBacc policy on the curriculum offer in their school.

Key Stage 5 (KS5)

• For those who offer AS/A Levels, 68% reported having to remove or reduce the number of AS Levels as a result of the decoupling of AS and A Levels, and a further 27% reported a reduction in the range of A Level subjects offered as a result.
• 62% of individuals reported that changes to sixth form funding had resulted in a decrease in the breadth of subjects offered, and over half (54%) reported that the funding changes had led to an increase in class sizes in KS5.

Transition

• Just over half of respondents (55%) feel that the key stage 2 (KS2) scaled scores are less or much less useful than the previous KS2 levels.
• Of those who responded, 85% reported having used year 7 assessments (e.g. CATs, reading and spelling tests) this year.
• Looking forward, 69% are planning to implement or continue to use this type of year 7 assessments in the next academic year and for the foreseeable future.

 Mental Health and well-being

• More than one in five (21%) of individuals reported that their students currently have access to a full-time school-based counsellor, while a further 50% reported that their students had access to a part-time school-based counsellor, both of which are funded out of school budgets.
• Worryingly, nearly a third of respondents (31%) report a decrease in services they offer for the emotional and mental well-being of students in the upcoming year, with only 13% of people reporting an increase. For those who reported a change in their offer, the most common reason for this is budget pressure (67%).

Download the report here.