14–19 Team Teesside University Supporting Progression Conference Changes in Qualifications and Study Programmes John Thompson Principal Adviser 14-19

14–19 Team Key issues  Government policy objectives  KS4 Qualification Reform  A level Reform  Other post 16 Qualifications  Study Programmes and Funding

14–19 Team White Paper (November 2010)  National Curriculum review (focus on the core subject knowledge every child and young person should gain at each stage of their education)  “Proper assessment” at each transitional stage  Introduction of the English Baccalaureate in Key Stage 4  Reform of Vocational Education following the Wolf Report

14–19 Team KS4 Qualifications reform Old news:  Restricted list of “high quality” vocational qualifications which can be included in performance tables (updated Nov 2012)  Only 2 non GCSEs to count towards 5+A*-C  Encouragement of EBacc combination (English, Maths, 2 x Science, humanity, language)

14–19 Team KS4 Qualifications reform New news:  Reforming KS4 Qualifications (Sept 2012)  English Baccalaureate Certificates: Single awarding body for each subject Higher standards No coursework or exam aids Not for all young people

14–19 Team And then....  Weds 30 th January: Computer Science to be included as an additional option in the EBacc  Tuesday 5 th Feb: “Downton Abbey” Speech  Thursday 7 th Feb: “A bridge too far” including “new GCSEs”, National Curriculum Frameworks and school accountability consultation

14–19 Team “New” GCSEs  Same size and for same pupils as now  Linear and offered by awarding bodies as now  Internal Assessment to be kept to a minimum  Exam aids restricted  Tiering to be avoided in favour of flexible forms of assessment eg. extension papers  New grading scale to be considered

14–19 Team “New” GCSEs (2)  English to include both language and literature but not a combined option, Science to include a combined option (double only)  Consider benefits of additional feedback on top of a raw grade, especially In English and maths to support transition to post 16  Consider post season review (as per A Levels)

14–19 Team “New” GCSEs (3)  English, Eng. Lit, maths, biology, chemisty, physics, combined science, geography, history for 2015 (it may be possible for more subjects to be offered then)  All other subjects 2016  Schools to have “at least a year” to prepare

14–19 Team Accountability  New measures for English and maths  “Average 8” measure of overall performance  Introduction for 2017 with potential for some changes in 2015 & 2016  “Average 8” to include En, ma, any three other Ebacc subjects and any three other “high value” subjects (inc. on the “counting list”)  Consultation to 1 st May

14–19 Team A Level reforms  Ofqual announcement on 9 th November and SoS announcement on 22 nd January  Linear model with end of course exams only  Removal of January exams and reduced resit opportunities (from Sept 2013)  Free standing AS level, not contributing to A Level grade  First new A Levels “in facilitating subjects” available for Sept 2015

14–19 Team Other post 16 qualifications  Consultation open till May  Criteria (similar to KS4) for qualifications to be included in performance tables  “Occupational” – to equip young people for a skilled trade or occupation  “Applied General” – more general vocational qualifications enabling progression to further study (including HE)

14–19 Team Study Programmes & Funding  Year on year cuts in funding at per learner level over 4 year CSR period (and beyond ?)  From September 2013 funding is per learner rather than per qualification, banded according to hours in learning  Greater flexibility to include Work Experience and non qualification activity  Requirement to continue study of En, ma if A*-C GCSE has not been achieved in Y11  Should be “little change” for A level, IB and Level 3 vocational programmes

14–19 Team Implications  Smaller sixth forms with reduced options ?  Narrowing of KS4 options with consequent reduction in progression options post 16 ?  Concerns over ABB and implications for “mixed programmes” of the cap  Reduction in range of subjects and qualifications presented by applicants to HE ?

14–19 Team Teesside University Supporting Progression Conference John Thompson Principal Adviser