1. Reforms to GCSE, AS and A level qualifications September 2014

2. Reforms to GCSE, AS and A level qualifications Changes are being made to GCSE, AS and A level qualifications. These changes will come into force over the next few years: September 2015 –teaching begins for first tranche of new GCSEs and reformed A levels September 2016 – more subjects start to be taught at both GCSE and A level September 2017 – remaining subjects start to be taught. Any subjects not reformed and approved by then will be withdrawn (see later slides for lists of subjects)

3. 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 accepts new qualifications onto the ‘Register for Regulated Qualifications’ Oversees awarding of GCSEs, AS and A levels to ensure standards are maintained consistently and fairly Exam boards Design and deliver qualifications

4. 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.

5. New GCSEs Intended to be taught from September 2015: Maths English language English literature Intended to be taught from September 2016: Geography History Biology Chemistry Physics Double science Ancient languages Modern foreign languages Art and design Dance Music Physical education Computer science Religious studies Design and technology Drama Citizenship studies

6. What will new GCSEs look like? Structure – linear (not broken into separately assessed units, with all exams in the summer at the end of the course (Resits of the whole qualification available in November for GCSEs in maths and English language only, for those aged 16+) Assessment – exam where possible, other forms of assessment only where necessary to assess essential subject skills Tiered assessments – only where necessary Grading – new numbered scale from 9 to 1 (plus U), 9 is the highest Standard – accessible to the same proportion of Key Stage 4 students as at present

7. New GCSE grading system New grading system reflects the step change in expectations of students Awarding will be done using judgements informed by data, rather than a criterion or norm referencing approach National reference test will be used to help identify changes in performance between cohorts Ofqual will use the established comparable outcomes approach to manage risk of unfair disadvantage or advantage to cohorts in first few years of new GCSEs

8. New GCSE grading system Students will achieve grades 1 to 9 (or U) - 9 is the highest Broadly the same proportion of students will get grade 7 and above as currently get A & A* For each examination, the top 20% of those who get 7 or above will get a 9 Grade 5 will be positioned in the top third of marks for a current grade C and bottom third of marks for a current grade B Broadly the same proportion of students will get grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above The bottom of grade 1 will align to the bottom of current grade G

9. Purpose of A level qualifications A levels should: define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding which will be needed by students planning to progress to undergraduate study at a UK higher education establishment, particularly (although not only) in the same subject area a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for 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 and provide a benchmark of academic ability for employers

10. Reformed AS and A levels Intended to be taught from September 2015: English language English literature English language and literature Biology Chemistry Physics Psychology New AS qualifications will be introduced at the same time as each reformed A level is introduced –Eg AS physics will be taught from September 2015, AS geography from September 2016 Computer science Business History Art and design Economics Sociology

11. Reformed AS and A levels Intended to be taught from September 2016: Maths and further maths Geography Modern foreign languages Ancient languages Religious studies Intended to be taught from September 2017: Any remaining subjects Ofqual has consulted on and is currently considering how content for any remaining subjects should be developed (where the DfE is not leading on content development) and on the expectations for subjects to continue as A levels Drama and theatre Dance Music Physical education

12. What will reformed A levels look like? 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*- E (& U) Demand – same level of challenge as current A levels

13. What will reformed AS qualifications look like? New AS qualifications will be introduced at the same time as each reformed A level is introduced Standalone – new AS will not count towards an A level grade Assessment – by exam only at the end of the course, using other forms of assessment only where necessary to assess essential subjects skills Co-teachable – exam boards can design the standalone AS to be taught alongside first year of A level where possible Grading – staying the same as now, A - E (& U) Demand – new AS will have same level of challenge as current AS

14. Summary of assessment proposals – part 1 SubjectGCSEA levelAS qualification Current weighting of non-exam assessment Proposed weighting of non-exam assessment Current weighting of non-exam assessment Proposed weighting of non-exam assessment Current weighting of non-exam assessment Proposed weighting of non-exam assessment Ancient languagesN/ANone Art and design100% N/A Computer science25–60%20%N/A Dance80%60% 50%55%50% Further mathematicsN/A0–20%None0–20%None GeographyN/ANone20%None MathematicsN/A0–20%None0–20%None Modern foreign languages N/A30–40%30%30–40% 8 30% Music60–80%60%60–70%60%60–70%60% Physical education60%30%35–50%30%35–50%30%

15. Summary of assessment proposals – part 2 Subject GCSEA levelAS qualification Current weighting of non-exam assessment Proposed weighting of non-exam assessment Current weighting of non-exam assessment Proposed weighting of non-exam assessment Current weighting of non-exam assessment Proposed weighting of non-exam assessment Citizenship studies 60%0%N/A Cooking and nutrition N/A50%N/A Design and technology 60%50%N/A Drama 60−100%60%40−70%60%40−100%60%

16. The range of GCSE and A level/AS subjects Government determines the content for some GCSE subjects Government takes an interest, together with HE, in the content of some A level/AS subjects Each exam boards decides whether or not to develop GCSEs, A levels and AS qualifications in the subjects.

17. What about other subjects? We consulted on a proposal that there should be a process for subjects that government has not already proposed content for We proposed where there is a GCSE or A level/AS in a subject all exam boards should use the same content, to help secure comparability, understanding and confidence. They should co- operate to develop the content and consult widely Exam boards each decide in which subjects they wish to offer GCSEs and A levels No guarantee they will wish to develop new GCSEs and A levels in the full range of subjects currently available

18. Our proposal 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 purpose 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

19. Impact on availability We also proposed: Only new GCSEs and reformed A levels should be available for students starting their courses in September 2017 This will minimise the period during which there is dual running of new/reformed and ‘legacy’ qualifications We are considering our response to the consultation and will announce our decisions shortly

20. Consultation events Ofqual is looking to run some subject-specific events to support the consultation currently running at: http://comment.ofqual.gov.uk/developing-new-qualifications-for-2016-part-2/ http://comment.ofqual.gov.uk/developing-new-qualifications-for-2016-part-2/ –The subjects in this consultation are - GCSEs in citizenship studies, design and technology, cooking and nutrition, drama - A level in drama and theatre To help Ofqual understand potential demand for these events, there is a short survey to complete at: http://surveys.ofqual.gov.uk/s3/eventsforfirstteaching2016september The closing date for this survey is 3 rd October. http://surveys.ofqual.gov.uk/s3/eventsforfirstteaching2016september

21. Find out more Visit www.ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-reform/ Questions? call Ofqual’s helpdesk – 0300 303 3346 email – info@ofqual.gov.uk tweet – @ofqual For more information on curriculum and content, contact the Department for Education www.gov.uk/dfe