- Teachers at Bedminster Down School in Bristol will no longer mark work
- Move comes amid fears that pupils’ confidence could be damaged by criticism
- Headteacher Gary Schlick said teachers would to give constructive feedback
- Instead of As, Bs, or Cs they are doing one-on-one feedback with pupils instead
- It’s hoped the reduced marking will give teachers a better ‘work-life balance’
Secondary school headteacher Gary Schlick has banned his staff at Bedminster Down School in Bristol from marking work after fears students’ confidence was being damaged by poor grades
A secondary school headteacher has banned his staff from marking work after fears students’ confidence was being damaged by poor grades.
Teachers at Bedminster Down School in Bristol have been instructed to do away with As, Bs and Cs in favour of one-on-one feedback with pupils instead.
Headteacher Gary Schlick said it meant teachers were no longer spending hours marking and could focus on ‘more meaningful, motivational and constructive’ comments on their work – as well as provide teachers with a better ‘work-life balance’.
Mr Schlick said: ‘Recent research has shown that much of the marking that teachers do is unnecessary, burdensome and does not help students progress.
‘Our new system is redirecting the energy that went into routine marking to giving a more personal approach that helps us know more about any gaps in knowledge.
‘As well as being able to give students more meaningful feedback we’ve removed one of the barriers to helping teachers achieve a better work-life balance.’
Traditional marking of school work will instead be replaced by three different schemes.
Live marking means teacher will sit down with student and talk through a piece of work, and impact marking involves identifying gaps in understanding.
Summative assessments are also used to provide benchmarks for progress.
The school trialled the scheme in a few classes last year, and has since expanded the scheme to the entire school.
Teachers at Bedminster Down School in Bristol are doing away with daily As, Bs, Cs, and Ds and in favour of one-on-one feedback with pupils instead. It’s hoped the reduced marking will give teachers a better ‘work-life balance’ as well as improved one-on-one feedback for childeren
Maths teacher and assistant headteacher Megan Arnold added: ‘I’ve seen impact marking really enhance my pupil’s progress and motivation.
‘As a teacher I’m also more motivated as the time I would have spent marking books is now used for planning exciting maths problems for the next lesson.’
Year 11 student Allegra Garrett added: ‘With the new system I know the areas within each subject I need to improve.
‘It’s much more concise and has really helped with maths revision.’
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