Is school harder now than it used to be?

I think it depends.

For the higher attainers - those who did O-levels in my day - the current GCSEs and current experience is very similar.

However for the large numbers who used to do CSEs in my day, school is much harder, because the unifying of the exam system followed by the latest revision means that less able children are now being taught material that they would not have accessed in the past.

I would say there was a period 'in the middle' where school was easier for those of higher ability.

I think there are lots of factors involved, so many that is really hard to compare one experience with another. Over the years different topics have done in and out of exams, The number of subjects has taken has varied. The resources for learning have changed, there are technological improvements but there is far from a level playing field in terms of each child's circumstances. Then there are the social changes, the things children have had to think about.

Interesting. I did O levels in 1985 and I would say maths is now similar to what it was then. It included calculus which still is only taught at A level. Some other topics have been added.

Maths A level got considerably easier after GCSEs were introduced, which universities had to deal with.

I did O levels in the early 80s. My children did GCSEs - before the recent changes. I think the GCSEs were much easier. I did one myself, a language, which I did in a year, and got A*. I was shocked how easy it was. But I was an adult.

Some elements are, some aren't, and some elements are better now than they were.

I think the exams have become more rigorous, and whilst I'm not convinced they're right yet, I do think there's some good changes there.
I think the pressure on schools get passed onto students more with lots of compulsory-optional-revision-sessions-meets-lessons, but I also think intervention culture isn't helpful for promoting students who can cope with pressure and independence.
I think it's much, much better that students actually have to work in y7-9. I remember my own school days and those 3 years were a write off where we didn't really study anything. I'd rather be a KS3 student now.
There's more vocational awareness now than there was when I was in school and that's positive for those who need different routes, but unfortunately that seems to be school dependent as others are very much narrowing the curriculum.

Social pressures are much greater I think. For example, social media and 24/7 mobile phones means issue from school don't end there. Cyber bullying is a big issue as are the pressures around sexting etc.

But that goes hand in hand with increasing mollycoddling from some parents who make endless excuses why their child can't possibly do homework, it's not their fault they were disruptive etc, so schools are battling a group of parents who are very against personal responsibility (and in term then children learn nothing is their fault etc).

Signifying , me too.

(I guess you're also an English teacher from your user name)

Definitely. But that's probably because I'm a teacher now.

I did GCSEs in 1989, they were soooo easy compared to DD, A* didn’t exist back then. I got all A’s and one B - the latter as I was so shocked at how easy the exams were I gave up revising for my last exam which was history - and got a B.

The leap to A levels was tough though - I think harder to transition to than my degree.,

DD is bright but it seems so much harder, she is currently in Y10. Maths has topics in it I have never heard of. English has grammar in it I was never taught. Geography isn’t about loams, maps and minerals but politics and environment and migration. I never had to know about mark schemes or grade boundaries.

I didn’t have to do a duke of Edinburgh, personal statement or work experience. My comp of 180 intake which was massive in the day had about 25 stay on for sixth form, 18 of whom went onto Uni. Expectations were not so high and young people went off on so many different paths and most seemed to do well, get good jobs regardless of whether they left at 16 or went to university.

I tend to agree.

I took GCSE's in 1988. I was relatively bright but didn't work hard. I learned a few historical facts and some quotes from the English texts....I did really well. I was awful at Maths but got a C.

My Dd is now in Y10. Her History syllabus is more like my A-level history and English is really intense. Don't get me started on Maths....

I'm also a school governor and we had regular meetings about curriculum and content etc. I believe it's much harder than I ever remember.