If your child is in Year 9 did you know GCSEs are changing?

12th September 2014

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In June 2017 students currently in year 9 will have to take new-style GCSEs in Maths and English.

What are the changes?

All exams will be taken at the end of 2 years' of study with all assessment through written examination.
Grades are changing from 9-1 rather than A*-G as now with the new grade 4 equivalent to the current grade C. It is thought that the number of students achieiving the highest grade,9, will be half the number achieving an A* now.
In English there is a greater emphasis on spelling, punctuation and grammar and students are expected to study more traditional and classic literature, including a 19th century novel.
In Maths all students have to learn a defined set of skills and the exams will have a greater focus on reasoning and problem solving.

Where can I find out more?

Your child's school should be able to advise you and, over the coming months, teachers will attend training meetings organised by the exam boards so that they are fully prepared when they start teaching the new GCSEs in September 2015.
Exam boards also produce a specification (content that students need to learn) as well as sample exam papers a long time in advance to help teachers prepare. For example, AQA, the largest exam board for GCSEs and A-levels, has already published the specifications and sample papers which have been approved by Ofqual, the exams regulator, on the AQA website.

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