1. GCSE and A level reform Phil Carr and Laura Dougan Reform Managers, Ofqual

2. Contents Aims and purposes of reformed qualifications Responsibilities for reform What new GCSEs, AS and A levels look like Timetable for reform

3. Policy aims - GCSEs Increase in demand –More challenging subject content –More rigorous assessment structures –Provide stretching assessment Remain the same size Move to linear structure with assessment at the end of the course Limit tiering New grading scale Introduce first reformed subjects ready to teach in September 2015

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. Policy aims – AS & A level Progression to HE improved by HE involvement in development A level and AS will be separate qualifications Move to linear structure with assessment at the end of the course Qualification standard and grading scale will remain the same

6. Purpose of A levels define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding which will be needed by students planning to progress to further study and 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 provide a benchmark of academic ability for employers

7. 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 accredits GCSEs and AS/A levels Oversees awarding of GCSEs, AS and A levels to ensure standards are maintained consistently and fairly Exam boards Design and deliver qualifications

8. Ofqual’s reform decisions We are driving improvements to assessments and increasing inter-board comparability so that we can better meet the described purposes of GCSEs and A levels We are doing this by: Requiring core content –each exam board specification should cover the same core of content –tackles potential to compete over content, but should still allow innovation Tightening assessment objectives –assessment objectives are being more carefully and precisely expressed and proportioned –reduce the potential for objectives to be ‘variably interpreted’ Continues…

9. Ofqual’s reform decisions …Continued Agreeing industry standards/Conditions and Guidance –a common approach to working towards quality qualifications –Help to develop agreed aspects of good assessment and avoid adverse impact of competition Requiring assessment strategies –exam boards have to produce strategies explaining how they will develop good assessments –used in accreditation process, to ensure strategy is being followed in the development of assessment materials

10. What will new GCSEs look like? Structure – linear, with 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 subject skills Tiered assessments – only where necessary Standard – accessible to the same proportion of Key Stage 4 students as at present Grading – new numbered scale from 9 to 1 (plus U), 9 is the highest

11. New GCSE 1 to 9 grading system

12. What will reformed AS/A levels look like? Broadly fit for purpose, but that there are areas for improvement 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/A*- E (& U) Demand – same level of challenge as current AS/A levels

13. Reforms to GCSE, AS and A level Timetable September 2016September 2015September 2017 First teaching of 1 st tranche of new GCSEs and A levels 2 nd tranche of new GCSEs and A levels start to be taught Remaining subjects at all levels start to be taught. Any subjects not reformed and approved by then will be withdrawn.

14. September 2015 Maths English language English literature English language English literature English language and literature Biology Chemistry Physics Psychology Computer science Business History Art and design Economics Sociology GCSEs A levels and AS

15. Geography History Biology Chemistry Physics Double science Ancient languages Modern foreign languages Music Art and design Physical education Computer science Religious studies Citizenship studies Food preparation and nutrition Dance Drama Geography Modern foreign languages Ancient languages Religious studies Drama and theatre Dance Music Physical education GCSEs September 2016 A levels and AS

16. GCSEs A levels and AS September 2017 Maths Further Maths Design and technology …and the other subjects exam boards choose to develop that meet our development principles.

17. Our development principles 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 purposes 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

18. Qualifications are being approved – accredited – by Ofqual –Exam boards submit their specifications and we check they meet the set criteria There is no absolute timetable – we will only approve the qualifications when they are right Find out which qualifications have been accredited so far here: www.ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification- reform/accredited-reformed-qualifications/ Accreditation

19. Find out more Visit www.gov.uk/ofqual Questions? call Ofqual’s helpdesk – 0300 303 3346 email – public.enquiries@ofqual.gov.uk tweet – @ofqual For more information on curriculum and content, contact the Department for Education www.gov.uk/dfe