GCSE and A level reform

Phil Carr and Laura DouganReform Managers, Ofqual

Contents

Aims and purposes of reformed qualifications

Responsibilities for reform

What new GCSEs, AS and A levels look like

Timetable for reform

Policy aims - GCSEs

Increase in demand– More challenging subject content– More rigorous assessment structures– Provide stretching assessment

Remain the same size

Move to linear structure with assessment at the end of the course

Limit tiering

New grading scale

Introduce first reformed subjects ready to teach in September 2015

Purpose of GCSEs

The primary purpose of new GCSEs is to provide evidence of students’ achievements against demanding and fulfilling content, a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment. If required, they should be able to provide a basis for schools and colleges to be held accountable for the performance of all their students.

Policy aims – AS & A level

Progression to HE improved by HE involvement in development

A level and AS will be separate qualifications

Move to linear structure with assessment at the end of the course

Qualification standard and grading scale will remain the same

Purpose of A levels

define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding which will be needed by students planning to progress to further study and employment

set out a robust and internationally comparable post-16 academic course of study to develop that knowledge, skills and understanding

permit UK universities to accurately identify the level of attainment of students

provide a basis for school and college accountability measures at age 18

provide a benchmark of academic ability for employers

Responsibilities for reform

Government – Department for Education

Decides overall policy on qualifications

Arrangements for content/curriculum development

Ofqual

Responsible for securing overall standards in qualifications

Sets rules for, and monitors, exam board performance

Sets criteria for design of qualifications (eg how they are structured, how they are assessed) and accredits GCSEs and AS/A levels

Oversees awarding of GCSEs, AS and A levels to ensure standards are maintained consistently and fairly

Exam boards

Design and deliver qualifications

Ofqual’s reform decisions

We are driving improvements to assessments and increasing inter-board comparability so that we can better meet the described purposes of GCSEs and A levels

We are doing this by:

Requiring core content – each exam board specification should cover the same core of content– tackles potential to compete over content, but should still allow innovation

Tightening assessment objectives– assessment objectives are being more carefully and precisely expressed

and proportioned– reduce the potential for objectives to be ‘variably interpreted’

Continues…

Ofqual’s reform decisions

…Continued

Agreeing industry standards/Conditions and Guidance– a common approach to working towards quality qualifications– Help to develop agreed aspects of good assessment and avoid adverse

impact of competition

Requiring assessment strategies– exam boards have to produce strategies explaining how they will develop

good assessments– used in accreditation process, to ensure strategy is being followed in the

development of assessment materials

What will new GCSEs look like?

Structure – linear, with all exams in the summer at the end of the course

Assessment – exam where possible, other forms of assessment only where necessary to assess essential subject skills

Tiered assessments – only where necessary

Standard – accessible to the same proportion of Key Stage 4 students as at present

Grading – new numbered scale from 9 to 1 (plus U), 9 is the highest

New GCSE 1 to 9 grading system

What will reformed AS/A levels look like?

Broadly fit for purpose, but that there are areas for improvement

Structure – all exams in the summer at the end of the course

Assessment – exam where possible, other forms of assessment only where

necessary to assess essential subjects skills

Grading – staying the same as now, A/A*- E (& U)

Demand – same level of challenge as current AS/A levels

Reforms to GCSE, AS and A level

Timetable

September 2016September 2015 September 2017

First teaching of 1st tranche of new GCSEs

and A levels

2nd tranche of new GCSEs and A levels

start to be taught

Remaining subjects at all levels start to be taught. Any subjects

not reformed and approved by then will

be withdrawn.

September 2015

MathsEnglish languageEnglish literature

English language English literatureEnglish language and literatureBiologyChemistry PhysicsPsychologyComputer scienceBusinessHistoryArt and designEconomicsSociology

GCSEs A levels and AS

Geography History

Biology Chemistry

Physics Double science

Ancient languagesModern foreign languages

MusicArt and design

Physical educationComputer scienceReligious studies

Citizenship studiesFood preparation and nutrition

Dance Drama

GeographyModern foreign languagesAncient languagesReligious studiesDrama and theatreDanceMusicPhysical education

GCSEs

September 2016

A levels and AS

GCSEs A levels and AS

September 2017

MathsFurther Maths

Design and technology

…and the other subjects exam boards choose to develop that meet our development principles.

Our development principles

• GCSEs, A levels and AS qualifications should only be developed where:

• The subject is distinct from others – leading to some detailed proposals on subjects that are similar to reformed subjects

• The qualification will fulfil the GCSE/A level purposes

• Performance can be differentiated using the full grading scale

• The qualification will be at an appropriate level of demand

• The content can be validly assessed

Qualifications are being approved – accredited – by Ofqual– Exam boards submit their specifications and we check they meet the

set criteria

There is no absolute timetable – we will only approve the qualifications when they are right

Find out which qualifications have been accredited so far here:

www.ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification- reform/accredited-reformed-qualifications/

Accreditation

Find out more

Visit

www.gov.uk/ofqual

Questions?

call Ofqual’s helpdesk – 0300 303 3346

email – public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk

tweet – @ofqual

For more information on curriculum and content, contact the Department for Education

www.gov.uk/dfe