GCSEs to be scrapped as schools return to O Level type exam, report says
GCSEs are to be scrapped and new, more rigorous O-levels brought back in the most radical overhaul of the school exams system for 30 years, it has been reported.
Education Secretary Michael Gove is set to abolish the national curriculum in English secondary schools according to leaked documents seen by the Daily Mail.
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The new examinations will “meet or exceed the highest standards in the world for that age group”, according to one document seen by the paper.
The plans are likely to set Mr Gove on a collision course with both the teaching unions and the Conservatives’ Liberal Democrat partners in the coalition.
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Under his proposals, pupils would begin studying for “explicitly harder” O-levels – covering traditional academic subjects such as English, maths, history, modern languages and the sciences – from September 2014.
“Those starting GCSEs in 2013 are the last pupils who will have to do them,” one document states.
Pupils will begin sitting the new O-levels from 2016, with papers set by a single examination board to provide a single “gold standard” test across the country.
Less able pupils will sit simpler examinations similar to the old CSEs. They will include simpler tests in English and maths in order to provide them with “worthwhile” qualifications.
In order to encourage schools to adopt the new exam, the requirement that pupils should seek to obtain five good GCSEs graded A* to C will be abolished leaving them free to take the new O-levels.
Mr Gove is said to want to reverse a “historic mistake” by the Tories in the 1980s when he believes the creation of GCSEs led to a collapse in academic standards through grade inflation and a proliferation of “Mickey Mouse” courses.
The changes will see a return to individual examinations in physics, chemistry and biology instead of a single, combined science qualification.
Maths students will be expected to study complex subjects like calculus in order to get the top A grades, while English literature students will have to write longer essays and will not be allowed to take set texts into the exam room.
Mr Gove is said to be preparing to announce his plans formally in the next two weeks before launching a 12-week consultation. None of the changes require legislation.
For Labour, shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg said Mr Gove must spell out the implications of his proposals to parents.
“To succeed in the modern world, young people need a broad education, not a narrow one. Will pupils doing these new exams get access to creative or innovative learning that will create the jobs of the future?” he said.
“Will this divide children at 14 into winners and losers?
“With no secondary national curriculum how will he ensure a rigorous approach to learning in all schools?
“If there is to be a major overhaul parents will want reassurance that the new system will enable all children to progress and reach their full potential.”
A Department for Education spokesman said: “We do not comment on leaks.”
Comments
by Rick_OShay
Friday, June 22 2012, 7:02PM
“Quote:
"Mr Gove is said to be preparing to announce his plans formally in the next two weeks before launching a 12-week consultation. None of the changes require legislation."
So 6 weeks of the 12 week consultation period takes place in the summer holidays.
If Gove thinks it's such a good idea why is he trying this trick?
Taking schools back to the 1950's will not equip children for the 21st Century.
Rick O'Shay
Zog”
by swoop4
Friday, June 22 2012, 1:28PM
“Back in the day you did 10 O-levels at the end of the 5th year (Yr 11) You didn't do any earlier because there was loads of stuff to get through and they were hard. You also did CSEs. An O-level pass was A-C. Less than that was what we called a 'fail'. A CSE grade 1 was equivelent to an O-level grade C. They were in subjects like Maths, English, Science etc.
You did 3 or 4 A-levels at the end of the 6th form. You didn't do them any earlier because there was loads of stuff to get through and they were hard. You didn't do more than 4 for the same reasons. They were in subjects like Maths, English, Science, etc.
Like it or not, some of us were more able than others and did mostly O-levels.
It wasn't broke(n) so why fix it?”
by BettyD
Friday, June 22 2012, 1:25PM
“Errr, maybe twenty years ago our education system was the envy of the world, NOT so nowadays, we have fast become a joke throughout the world and not just because of our failing education standards.”
by Nevman
Friday, June 22 2012, 12:35PM
“Which countries in Europe envy our education system, leroc? Do enlighten us!
As for the rest of the world, perhaps you could explain why so many Commonwealth countries chose to stick with O levels after we abandoned them.”
by leroc
Thursday, June 21 2012, 5:23PM
“trudie2010
Trudie is right. Despite many thinking that the education system is poor, it is still the envy of many other countries in Europe let alone the world.
The problem is that Governments' always want to change things whereas it should be left to an independent body to oversee standards and leave politics out of it.”
by C_Plym2008
Thursday, June 21 2012, 4:33PM
“I do like the idea of a return to O Level but I don't support a two-tier system of qualifications. I would like to see the GCSE Higher Tier paper made the new O Level with no coursework and grades A*-C covered. The Foundation Tier can become the easier qualification offering grades up to C.
Strengthen the GCSE - don't replace it.”
by maxine711
Thursday, June 21 2012, 2:35PM
“@josdave - maybe there wasn't as many subjects 50 years ago to take A Levels in, it would be interesting to see somebody retake these exams to see if they are easier or not - my son is in the middle of his GCSE years, and i think the difference is that they do not study for 2 years and then take all the exams at the end, they complete a unit or module and then they sit the GCSE exam for that module, which i think would mean the subject is fresh in their minds, as opposed to getting to the end of the 2 years and then revising loads and loads of work in the hope you've revised the right bits, so yes they have got easier in the sense of how they are now done, it does not mean that the actual work is any easier.”
by SwapShop77
Thursday, June 21 2012, 2:01PM
“I know that times have changed,but i had to take the 11 plus way back in the 70s. trouble today is children are more interested in watching TV ( as i did) and using the computer for games and using mobile phones , thus street talk as it is know with changed words and commerce does not help children to speak properly and how to read and write. This mighte be a good thing as children today watch TV and and Talk like your pop stars as like RnB music . so yes i think that will help todays children Talk and Learn .Better. It May Help the children to also learn good Manners, in stead of saying ,what, who, along with the usual F*&^%&*& word and other words like it.”
by Claire_Teach
Thursday, June 21 2012, 1:52PM
“Gove. Someone needs to stop him. Whatever next.”
by josdave
Thursday, June 21 2012, 1:35PM
“The A levels are definitely getting easier year on year and this is due to successive governments wanting more people to go to university. Many drop out after the first year because while they got the required A levels they were simply not good enough. If making the exams a bit harder means the grades attained have some meaning, which they don't now, then it's all for the good. When I took my A levels in 1959 to get three was an achievement regardless of grade but now they are getting six or seven at grade A and the authorities have the nerve to say they are not easier.”