Ofqual confirms changes to GCSEs

27 January 2012

Awarding organisations are currently revising GCSE qualifications ready for the introduction of linear assessment and, in the cases of English literature, history, geography and religious studies, the separate assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The revised specifications will be submitted to the regulators for accreditation soon.

Given the suggestion that some GCSE qualifications may permit narrowing of the expected course of study, Ofqual, working with CCEA and DfES, are taking the opportunity to look closely at these revised specifications, to make sure that the standards set and the study requirements are what we expect.

The regulators will:

review all GCSE geography specifications and assessment materials. Awarding organisations must make sure that their specifications meet all of the regulatory requirements, make clear the full course of study required of candidates and that the assessment arrangements support this.

Awarding organisations will be informed of accreditation decisions by Friday, April 20, at the latest.

review the current specifications for GCSE English literature, history and religious studies. Awarding organisations will be told by mid-February if there is any further action required to those qualifications before they can be accredited. We will provide a further update on this issue in mid-February.

Centres should be aware of the following:

For those candidates already embarked on a course of study for GCSEs in English literature, geography, history and religious studies and certificating in 2013 the only changes to specifications will relate to the separate assessment of spelling, punctuation and the accurate use of grammar in the examination papers. Awarding organisations will make revised specimen assessment materials available for the current qualifications to illustrate how the requirement for the separate assessment of spelling, punctuation and the accurate use of grammar will be addressed.

For courses beginning in September 2012 and candidates certificating in summer 2014, in addition to the introduction of linear assessment and the separate assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar there may be revised specifications in GCSE geography together with changes to or fully revised specifications in GCSE English literature, history and religious studies.

We do recognise how important the timescales are in this work. We believe these arrangements represent a fair and proportionate approach to making sure that standards are maintained.

Notes:

We have published a series of questions and answers regarding the changes to GCSEs in England.
A timeline detailing the introduction of changes to GCSEs is also available.

http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/news-and-announcements/130/820

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