Compulsory GCSE resits in England harm teenagers’ mental wellbeing, study finds
Summary
A study from University College London found that mandatory resits of maths and English GCSE exams in England harm teenagers’ mental health. The requirement to retake these exams negatively affects students’ confidence and wellbeing, unlike in Wales or Northern Ireland where resits are not compulsory.Key Facts
- England requires students who fail to get a grade 4 in maths or English GCSEs to resit the exams.
- The resits policy began in 2014 to link funding for further education places to passing these subjects.
- The study compared students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland with similar grades but found only English students showed lower mental wellbeing.
- About 180,000 students will retake GCSE English and 175,000 GCSE maths this year in England.
- Students who must resit often experience lower self-confidence and motivation, increasing risks of leaving education or work early.
- Girls narrowly missing grade 4 in maths and boys far below grade 4 in English showed the biggest declines in mental wellbeing.
- In Wales and Northern Ireland, where resits are optional, failing these exams had little to no effect on student wellbeing.
- The research suggests England’s compulsory resits policy is a major factor in these negative effects on teenagers.
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