Hold On Tight... All Change For Public Examinations!

Today, Headmaster Mr John Watson's Friday bulletin, emailed to parents and posted online, mulls over the impending changes to the public examination system. He writes: 

'If you’re confused, I don’t blame you! We are about to embark on an unprecedented period of curriculum change, and the goalposts keep moving! Hold on tight...!

New A levels will be introduced in 10 of our 23 subjects in September. In these subjects, the AS level and the A level will be ‘decoupled’; i.e. if students sit an AS examination at the end of the Lower Sixth, whilst it may be a good staging-post, it will not count towards the final A level outcome. This differs from the current AS level, which contributes directly to the end result. Other new A levels will be introduced in 2016 and 2017, with Mathematics recently deferred to the latter year. So, those beginning the Sixth Form in 2015 and 2016 will, depending on their subject choices, have a ‘mixed economy’ of examinations. 

New GCSEs will be introduced in English and Mathematics from September 2015, with the majority of other subjects following suit a year later. You may well be aware that the new GCSEs will be graded with numbers (from ‘9’ downwards), and that they are intended to provide greater challenge. Ofqual (the examinations regulator) has just commissioned some trials following the accusation that Mathematics examinations in one of the boards are easier than in the others. So we still don’t know exactly what the new GCSE will look like! On Wednesday, the Department for Education caused further consternation in state schools by declaring that IGCSEs (International GCSEs) will no longer contribute to league tables when new GCSEs are introduced. 

In common with the majority of schools (both state and independent), and whilst we have a mixture of new and old A levels, we have decided that students will choose 4 AS level subjects, to maintain educational breadth (with the possibility of a contrasting subject) whilst still allowing enhancement through the Extended Project Qualification and the Scientific Gold CREST award. This will enable students to keep their options open until the end of the Lower Sixth and to play to their greatest strengths, as we know that a significant number change their minds. They also respond well to the motivation of an external exam which is a good gauge of progress. Most schools (including us) will review this decision in 2016 and, more importantly, in 2017 when all new A levels are in place. 

As is the case in most independent schools, we teach IGCSEs in several subjects, as they are sometimes more academically rigorous and a better preparation for A level. IGCSEs are also equally respected by universities. The measures used in the government’s GCSE performance tables are of little relevance to us, as we are measured against a higher benchmark (the proportion of A*/A grades) in the national press in August. So it is of no consequence that IGCSEs will not appear! 

We shall attempt to maintain a relatively even keel as we navigate our way through the choppy waters of curricular reform – and our highly qualified heads of department and teachers are very well placed to do so. It is at times like these that we can cherish our independence and continue to do what we believe will produce the best educational experience and examination outcomes for our pupils.'

Interesting times await for certain, but please rest assured all Bablake pupils will be in very safe hands throughout the changes, with excellent advice imparted and supportive tutoring.