Changes to GCSE and A-level 2021

[TheletterZ]

Guidance has just been published.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/906173/Consultation_decisions_-_proposed_changes_to_the_assessment_of_GCSEs__AS_and_A_levels_in_2021.pdf

(Sorry if someone else has published this already, I had a quick look but couldn’t spot one)

Main changes for gcse:
Science practicals can be demos
PE to go to 2 sports rather than 3
DT & Engineering to accept mock ups
Performances can be solo and audience can be 1 person
English literature and history to have choice of content in exam

The full break down is on p14 of the document.

Are you happy with this or think more should be done?

My DD has done 'An Inspector Calls', 'A Christmas Carol' and was about to start on Poetry when she went back to school. I assume the school will drop the Poetry and move straight on to Shakespeare so it's worked out well here. The reduced History content will also make a difference as well. Am concerned about the lack of allowance made for the heavy content in her triple science though but we will see how her school copes with it I suppose...

Art will be assessed on portfolios - no 8 hour exam !

DD is doing GCSEs next year.

She's delighted that they have dropped the poetry section from English and Russian history.

Will there be a speaking exam for French?

is the change in English lit purely AQA or does it cover Edexcel and iGCSe?

eat the changes are from Ofqual- they’re all in the document.

Eng lit change is for all GCSEs but not clear if IGCSES as well.

No French speaking exam, just teacher assessment and won't count towards grade.

So A level students are fucked then?

Something like that

So the school choose which text to drop for English Lit? DD's school has done Romeo and Juliet and A Christmas Carol and some poetry (but not much) so most likely they will drop poetry or An Inspector Calls (which they haven't started yet)?. She is praying they will drop poetry as she is better at the other texts.

DS1 has done An Inspector Calls and Jekyll and Hyde and some of Romeo and Juliet (was in the middle of it when they went into lockdown), nothing on poetry at all. So which bit are they likely to drop? Clearly not Romeo and Juliet much to his disgust! Would be helpful to know as they have revision to do over the summer and it’s pointless revising something which they may not even do.

Yes schools can choose. Can't see many choosing to drop AIC tho as it's the most accessible text for sure.

Can't drop the Shakespeare thank goodness so that's got to be a good choice for summer work ihearttc. I would imagine your school will drop poems

Ds ( and I ) relieved about the PE sports being reduced to 2. It's a huge task trying to get the video evidence that the exam board expects even before COVID. School push the responsibility on the student for nearly all sports, with only a few being accessed by the school.

Does anyone know if those changes will apply to IGCSEs as well? Some independents do a mix of GCSE/IGCSEs.

I really can't believe how little change has been made to A level. They seem to have taken the view (shared by quite a few MNers) that they are old enough to teach themselves and who needs teachers anyway.

Re IGCSES - I want to know too! I rang Pearson today and it's still under consultation.

Also want to know about iGCSEs, DD is doing a mixture. She's had the exam dropped for 2 of her GCSEs Fine Art and Graphics. She's happy about the graphics, but less so, the Art.

@cologne4711

I really can't believe how little change has been made to A level. They seem to have taken the view (shared by quite a few MNers) that they are old enough to teach themselves and who needs teachers anyway.

It’s the view our kid’s school took - who needs teachers!

I can't open the document for some reason, can anyone tell me if the exam timetable will remain the same or will it run late to allow an extra months teaching?

Timetable decision still being looked at I believe. The discussion of what will be dropped is a bit preemptive. The boards haven't announced yet and there was a footnote saying that the boards could increase the core from just Shakespeare.

I don't understand why you would award a MFL qualification without speaking being part of the exam. Am I missing something?

DD is doing GCSEs next year.

She's just being doing the poetry section in English Lit. She's not so keen on it so probably wouldn't be too bothered if they dropped it, although might be given she's just studied it.

I think poetry is an important component and is good for analysis skills. The comparative brevity of a poem will also suit some children who may find longer paragraphs of text challenging for various reasons, including dyslexia.

I think it's a real shame about the MFL speaking. They still will get a teacher assessment but that's all.

I’m really sad , I have 2 doing A levels next year . They are in different schools and have had different experiences. However I’d say both have missed out a huge chunk of teaching and although they have been learning on line with work set , if this was an option surely they would be no need for teachers . I happen to think they need a lot of support from teachers . How can Tne teachers see what a class needs without face to face contact ? Both of mine are doing humanities subjects and a lot of their learning is done in guided group discussions all of which they have missed out on . That does not even take into account Tne mental strain they have been put under .

How are everyone’s year 12’s managing with personal statements and uni choices ? Mine have just stalled , I can’t seem to motivate them to move forward although both are 100% positive they want to go next year .

I’m really worried for them as they really do seem to be the forgotten year .