GCSEs 2014 Changes -pls explain how this will impact current Yr 9s/

[mulranno]

I understand that it is all change with GCSEs for this cohort who will not do now do "modular" courses....does this mean that they still do coursework tho with a final old fashioned exam at then end?

noblegiraffe - at dh's school 'the specifications will not change' has been taken to mean that the syllabus will not change; this makes sense as they have only just changed anyway. Why should that mean there will still be coursework? Coursework can (and most likely will) be replaced with an essay-style exam paper.

This extract from the same letter seems to confirm that controlled assessment is removed from 2012, since it speaks of it being reconsidered from 2013/2014.

Following the review of the National Curriculum all GCSE
specifications will have to be revised in line with changes
to programmes of study and new GCSEs are then likely
to be introduced from 2013 (core subjects) and 2014
(other subjects). At that point approaches to assessment
(including controlled assessment) will be reconsidered. In
the meantime Ofqual is investigating whether changes
could be made to the regulations around CA to make it
more manageable and more consistent.

So, I think it is fair to assume that those children starting GCSE courses in 2011 and 2012 (so the current Years 8 & 9) will have to sit final exams only, with no coursework or modules, but that controlled assessment may be reintroduced after that, if deemed necessary. So the current Years 8 & 9 are being treated as guinea pigs for a new system that may not work.

Ok, I've found this on the DfE website:

"`Controlled assessments? are internal assessments and not done as part of the exam cycle. The timing of controlled assessments, therefore, will not be affected by this change."

So coursework stays the same until the review.

Oh, ok. Thanks for that. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens - ds is year 9.

Is the New system a reason why many private schools, that were resisting a move to the IGCSE, have started to offer the IGCSE?

I think the palaver that is controlled assessment is why many schools have started to offer the IGCSE.

Agree with all the changes all the time. No one, not pupils, parents or teachers can get to grips with one system, when another one is started. It's so difficult and political for the schools. The league tables were a good idea when they started but now it seems that they drive everything.

So far as I understand it, some GCSEs now use controlled assessments in place of modules. This means the teachers don't have to keep going over the earlier stuff for the pupils who haven't managed to get a good enough grade in the modules, together with having to teach the next bit of the syllabus. So far as I understand it, this means teachers will have more time to teach each bit of the course.

I think everyone is having a hard time of it at the moment. Directions from the top keep changing and so schools keep having to make amendments to keep up. The poor pupils are stuck in the middle, hoping to do the best they can, knowing that all employers/further education are interested in are the grades they achieve. They are not interested in what circumstances the pupils got those grades.

I know of 2 schools who were saying that their children won't be able to cope with the IGCSEs but all of a sudden they are switching now. Their reason is that they are not happy with the new GCSEs!! It is curious that schools change their opinion in this short time! I would love to know what 's the real reason behind their decision ...

Does this have any impact on schools that do the GCSEs in 3 blocks - 3 subjects taught in year 9, learn 3 different subjects in year 10 and 3 different again to have lessons for in year 11. DD's prospective secondary does this and I am really worried about it.