Abolish A* – G at GCSE

GCSEs in their current form are to be scrapped, and new GCSEs introduced in 2015. At the moment, students can take ‘modular’ exams, exams as they progressSchools are measured nationally according to attainment and progress. Progress is how well pupils have done given their starting points. For example, pupils' progress from key stage 2 to key stage 4 is measured. through the two year course.  Under the new system, students will take an exam at the end of the two years.

One of the organisations that operates GCSEGCSEs, (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are the key qualification students take at key stage 4* when they are 16.They replaced ‘O’ Levels. Most schools make English, Maths and Science GCSEs obligatory. GCSEs have grades from A*–U. In the eyes of schools, colleges and the government, a ‘C’ grade is in effect a pass, a ‘D’ grade or below is a fail. Many further education* courses demand that students achieve five GCSEs at grades A*–C. exams has suggested that students are no longer awarded a grade A* – G, but are given a point score instead.  This, the organisation claims, will solve the problem of students getting quite different marks, but the same grade.  It is also claimed that it will reduce the current focus in schools on moving students from a C to a D grade, to do well in School and College Performance Tables(previously known as School Achievement and Assessment Tables(now known as School and College Performance Tables). These tables measure the performance of schools' pupils in national tests, at age 11, 16 and 18.*). These tables measure the performance of schools' pupils in national tests, at age 11, 16 and 18. . The jury is out as to whether a move to points instead of grades would be a good idea.

What has this got to do with choosing a secondary school?

• Because of the way they are currently measured in School and College Performance Tables(previously known as School Achievement and Assessment Tables(now known as School and College Performance Tables). These tables measure the performance of schools' pupils in national tests, at age 11, 16 and 18.*). These tables measure the performance of schools' pupils in national tests, at age 11, 16 and 18. , schools do have to focus on students who are likely to get a C grade. It is important therefore to find out if pupils above and below the C grade are being challenged. In the School and College Performance Tables(previously known as School Achievement and Assessment Tables(now known as School and College Performance Tables). These tables measure the performance of schools' pupils in national tests, at age 11, 16 and 18.*). These tables measure the performance of schools' pupils in national tests, at age 11, 16 and 18. , if you research your local authority, you can find out how well high, middle, and low attainers do in English and mathematics GCSEs compared to the national average.  The school you are considering for your child should do equally well for all groups of pupils. 
• When you are considering a school for your child, it is important to find out about grouping arrangements and allocation of teachers, particularly if your child is likely to be a pupil who will achieve above or below a C grade in English and mathematics. It is sometimes the case that schools give the best teachers to the pupils who are on the C/D borderline.
• Schools allocate a lot of resources, extra classes, etc in Year 11Fifth year of secondary school, 15 - 16 years old. to pupils so they move from a D to a C grade in English and mathematics.  It is worth finding out about these extra opportunities, but also getting reassurance that the school works to move students across all grade boundaries.