14–19 Team
Teesside UniversitySupporting Progression
ConferenceChanges in 14-19 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
16-19 Study Programmes and 16-19 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 30th January: Computer Science to be
included as an additional option in the EBacc
Tuesday 5th Feb: “Downton Abbey” Speech
Thursday 7th 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 1st May
14–19 Team
A Level reforms Ofqual announcement on 9th November and SoS
announcement on 22nd 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
16-19 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 UniversitySupporting Progression
ConferenceJohn Thompson
Principal Adviser [email protected]