Controlled assessment has reduced teaching and learning time and is harming children's learning, a new study has by Ofqual has claimed.
The new type of coursework, which replaced the traditional assessment in 2009, is the subject of widespread criticism in the report titled ‘Evaluation of the Introduction of Controlled Assessment’.
The study, published on Friday by the qualifications quango, found that teachers say the controlled assessment gives "fewer opportunities for off-site trips that deepen students' understanding and interest".
Children complete the assessment instead of coursework. The former is undertaken at school instead of at home, in supervision and timed conditions.
Timing issues were identified as the most common drawback by teachers, with 42 per cent across the nine subjects covered by the research agreeing this was the main concern.
One teacher commented the new method was "killing the enjoyment of learning a language". The controlled assessment technique came under heavy fire by language teachers who said the supervised coursework was "unfit for purpose" for learning modern languages.
"Preparing for oral exams in silence means controlled assessment is inadequate", one teacher said.
But some felt the new method had a positive impact on regulating coursework.
"You are reducing plagiarism; it is going to be the student's own work. You can guarantee that it has not been done by their parents…So that side of it is a positive."
Controlled assessment was introduced in 2009 after ministers argued coursework under exam conditions in the classroom prevented plagiarism from the internet and ruled out the possibility of parents helping their offspring.
Chris Keates, general secretary of teaching union Nasuwt described the report as revealing "further worrying evidence of unsustainable assessment practices".
Keates warned the coalition would be "unwise" to ignore the evidence provided by report and the increased burden on teachers could "seriously jeopardise pupils' learning".
“The impact of education funding cuts is piling more pressure onto a system that is already at breaking point."