Changes to GCSE Grading Roger McCune, Head of CCEA Regulation

Update on Timelines/Progress Reformed GCSEs graded 9 to 1 first awarded in Summer 2017 on a phased introduction-process will be ‘completed’ by Summer 2019 Revised CCEA GCSEs still graded A*-G, but with introduction of C* Grade and realignment of A*, first awarded (at qualifications level) in Summer 2019 WJEC GCSEs (Wales)no changes to grading

Comparing GCSE Grading

Comparing GCSE Grading Key comparison points A*/ 9 A / 7 C / 4 G / 1 When comparing 9-1 GCSE results (JCQ) Grade 4 and above equivalent to Grade C and above Grade 7 and above equivalent to Grade A and above

Effect on GCSE results 9-1 GCSEs Fewer top grades (9s rather than A*s)-more like 3/4% rather than 6/7% CCEA A*-G GCSEs Fewer A* grades -CCEA A* aligned with Grade 9 Fewer B grades (extra grade C*)

GCSE Grading communication plan 4 key messages: Why GCSE grading is changing Ensuring stakeholders know about the grading and can make comparisons Ensuring stakeholders understand the effect on outcomes Timescales for the introduction of the new grading scales 4 key stakeholder groups: Users (learners/ parents /employers / HE) Providers (schools / colleges/ training organisations) Government departments/ETI Government agencies / ALBs/careers bodies

Engagement with Stakeholders 45 events, including: Teachers, students, parents, employers, CBI, ETI, UCAS, universities, FE colleges Resources: GCSE grading site – over 20,000 visits Video – over 9,000 views in November 2018 GCSE grading leaflets (100,000 printed) – distributed to all post-primary schools HE Guide planned for early 2019 – for admissions tutors in universities

HE Guide Produced by Purpose Audience CCEA, as the qualifications regulator, with input from universities, government departments and UCAS Purpose universities in UK and Ireland (particularly outside NI) understand NI students GCSE grades Audience Admissions tutors in UK/Irish universities

HE Guide-continued Distribution Publication date Work with UCAS and individual universities to distribute the HE Guide, targeting those universities to which NI students apply Publication date Required for entrance cycle 2021, published spring 2019

Where can I get more information? GCSE Grading site www.ccea.org.uk/grading GCSE Grading Guide

GCSE/A Level Awarding Awarding is done at cohort level – implications for students at centre level and for individual learners Cohort changes – implications for grade outcomes

Grade Outcomes Percentages for England (JCQ statistics) for Summer 2018 A*/A C (and above) G (and above) Mathematics 20.0% 71.0% 98.1% English Language 17.5% 70.2% 99.1% Mathematics 15.7% 59.7% 97.7% English Language 13.9% 62.0% 98.9%

Goodbye ‘Head (teachers) have powers at their disposal with which Prime Ministers have never yet been invested’ My best wishes to you all