Curriculum Reform

Curriculum reform has been taking place since 2015, in relation to both GCSE and A level subjects. The links and downloads below, from the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) explain the nature, scope and detail of this significant curriculum reform project:

GCSE

GCSE Reform

The DfE has launched a new website with more details about reformed GCSEs. It includes information for students, parents, employers and anyone working in education. The homepage directs users to factsheets for parents, employers, further and higher education institutions, which provide explanations of the new grading system and other information about the reforms. A short video to explain the changes is also included. Please follow the link below:

 https://newgcses.campaign.gov.uk/

GCSE reform is being phased in over a period of three years in all schools (2015-2017). This constitutes a significant change in both the content and assessment of GCSE courses. Please see the downloads below: DfE GCSE and A level reform presentation for parents; GCSE and A level reforms Ofqual; and, Awarding for new GCSE student cohorts Ofqual.

The reformed GCSEs will be fully linear, with the grade being awarded on the basis of examinations taken at the end of two years of study. A*-G grades will be replaced with a 9-1 examination scoring. Please see the download, ‘Grading new GCSEs from 2017’, below, produced by Ofqual, to understand how the new grading system will work in relation to the old A*-G system.

Reformed for first teaching in September 2015:

1. English Language
2. English Literature
3. Mathematics

Reformed for first teaching in September 2016:

1. Art
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Computer Science
5. Drama
6. French
7. German
8. Geography
9. History
10. Latin
11. Music
12. Religious Studies
13. Spanish

The link below will take you to a gov.uk webpage for more details on GCSE reform:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-the-facts-gcse-and-a-level-reform/get-the-facts-gcse-reform

A Level

A level Reform

A level reform is being phased in over a period of three years in all schools (2015-17). This constitutes a significant change in both the format and the content of A level courses. Please see the downloads below: DfE GCSE and A level reform presentation for parents; and, GCSE and A level reforms Ofqual.

The reformed A levels will be fully linear, with the grade being awarded on the basis of examinations taken at the end of two years of study. These final examinations will contain a wider variety of questions, including more extended essay questions.

Reformed for first teaching in September 2015:

1. Art
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Computer Science
5. Economics
6. English Literature
7. History
8. Physics
9. Psychology

Reformed for first teaching in September 2016:

1. Drama & Theatre Studies
2. French
3. German
4. Geography
5. Latin
6. Music
7. Religious Studies
8. Spanish

Reformed for first teaching in September 2017:

1. Classical Civilisation
2. Further Mathematics
3. Government & Politics
4. Mathematics

The link below will take you to a gov.uk site for more details on A level reform:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-the-facts-gcse-and-a-level-reform/get-the-facts-as-and-a-level-reform

Downloads

Department for Education GCSE and A level reform presentation for parents

Ofqual – New GCSE 9-1 grades