Posted on Monday 16th Sep 2019
English Language GCSE should be scrapped to “end the misery” of a system which labels more than a third of 16-year-olds as failures, according to an inquiry set up by a headteachers’ union.
The qualification is “not fit for purpose” because it focuses on a restrictive choice of writing tasks with an emphasis on literary analysis, rather than on competency in English, the report states.
Set up by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the commission calls for the GCSE to be replaced with a “Passport in English” which would focus on skills sought by employers.
The inquiry was launched to boost the prospects of the “forgotten third” who currently fall short of achieving at least grade 4, the equivalent of a grade C, in both GCSE English and maths.
It has also recommended scrapping the “wasteful” GCSE resit policy for English and maths, and it urges the government to stop describing grade 4 as a “standard” pass.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
08/07/25Children with special needs will 'always' have 'legal right' to support, education secretary says
Bridget Phillipson seeks to dampen a looming row over whether the government could scrap tailored plans for children with special needs - as some Labour MPs fear a repeat of the welfare row.
07/07/25Government urged to keep education plans for children with special needs
Ministers are facing calls to not cut education plans for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). Campaigners say education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are "precious legal protections", warning that thousands of children could lose access to education if the plans are abolished.
26/06/25Councils face millions in extra Send costs as overhaul delayed
Cash-strapped councils in England will be hit with hundreds of millions of pounds in extra costs after the government delayed tackling the £5bn deficits spent supporting children and young people with special needs and disabilities.
25/06/25Rachel Reeves visits Kent to discuss free school meals and building more schools in county
Chancellor Rachel Reeves discussed the policies on a visit to a Kent school
17/06/25Record 1 in 5 pupils in England getting special education needs support
Nearly one in five pupils in England are receiving support for special educational needs (SEN) in the classroom, according to government statistics. It comes as separate statistics show a sharp rise in the number of tribunals concerning special educational needs support, as parents challenge the support on offer for their child. Teaching unions say systemic change in special educational needs provision is "urgently needed" for schools and students.
News Archive