GCSE foundation and higher level -

[littlebillie]

Am I being cynical here, but if a school enters more children into the new foundation GCSE they will have a better results on the "level 4-9" rather than failures at the higher level papers.

No, you can only get up to a grade 5 on the Foundation paper. If you entered grade 9 candidates for the foundation paper, not only would the school look dreadful in league table measures (Progress 8 which measures the progress of students from KS2 compared to the national average), but you would also stop them from being able to take an A-level in that subject.

However students who are at risk at failing the higher paper should definitely be entered for Foundation.

Most schools are judged on the percentage of pupils attaining ‘higher’ grades (our school has always had around 85% grades A-C for example, now presumably level 1-3?), so there is no advantage to pupils getting lower grades as is isn’t a good thing for the school/the reputation of the school in terms of academic achievement?

Perhaps I’m missing the point of the question? Obviously no purpose in entering pupils who are unlikely to achieve the higher level? How is it any different to before?

I think they will judged on 4 and a separate measure of those on 8/9 as 4 is solid C grade now.

5 is a C/B and 6 is a B, 7 A and 8/9 A A*

The main headline figure is Progress 8 which is based on all pupils' progress from KS2. That would look pretty dire if achievement was capped at grade 5, especially as maths (tiered) is double weighted in the measure.

The other headline figure is % grades 9-5.

% Grade 9-4s are reported, but not headline.

Am I right in thinking that only maths and MFL are now split into foundation & higher tiers?

And science, I learned recently.

Foundation tiers aren't new with the new grading, they existed under the older style GCSEs before.

It is down to teacher judgement of each individual pupil whether a borderline 4/5 candidate would be better off doing foundation or higher tier. I'm glad I'm not a teacher!