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Education Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed that a qualification similar to O-levels is proposed to replace GCSEs. The proposal came after Mr Gove admitted that students who had taken the latest GCSEs this summer were treated ‘unfairly’ and that it reinforces the need for reform in the GCSE exams system. O-levels were previously in force until they were replaced by GCSEs in 1988.
The old O-levels were criticised because it created a two-tier education system, as pupils who were deemed more academically able took the O-levels while the rest were awarded less prestigious CSEs. However, Mr Gove insisted this will not happen with the new exams system, as they will have the rigour of the original O-levels but sat by the majority of students.
The formal announcement and corresponding legislation is likely to be made in the autumn following consultation, and the proposed exam could be enforced in 2014. The use of modular assessments, a system which grades students’ work throughout the school year instead of having them sit a written examination in June, may be phased out for English GCSE by the summer.
The new examination is designed to be sat by the “full ability range” with top grades given to only the most outstanding candidates. Mr Gove also suggested that pupils deemed academically less able can have the option of delaying the examination until they turn 17 or 18, instead of during the summer of the academic year when they reach the age of 16, the usual age for GCSE candidates.
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