Blog posts for tag:exams

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Key points from Ofqual corporate plan

By Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Policy Leader, Wednesday 18 May 2016

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

Last month saw the refreshing of Ofqual’s corporate plan for 2016 through to 2019. It sets out a number of key objectives that Ofqual wants to achieve over the next 3 years, and reading between the lines, we can also get an inkling of the challenges Ofqual will be facing during that period. Ofqual has set out its key objectives in this plan; “covering standards maintenance and reform in both general and vocational qualifications, as well as our own organisational development.” This sets the theme for the plan, focusing on the introduction and regulation of new qualifications in the GCSE and Functional Skills spaces, continued rigour around Technical and Professional Education (TPE) and efficiency savings in the way Ofqual operates.

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GCSE results – what’s the scores on the doors?

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Tuesday 26 August 2014

Lindsay Plumpton

This year saw a transition for GCSE Level qualifications, with a focus on end point examination, (removing the earlier ‘January series’ re-sit & modular examinations). Last week, thousands of teens received their all-important results and overall, the 2014 results show a 98.5% pass rate, down 0.3 percentage points (but with a rise in students receiving A*s). While some subjects, such as ICT, Computing and Business Studies recorded significant growth, the number of English entries dropped by more than 215,000. Among 15-year-olds, the number of maths entries dropped by 76 per cent, from 170,357 down to 39,292.

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Results Day approaches – so what happens next?

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Monday 11 August 2014

Lindsay Plumpton

A Level results day – the countdown is on and nerves are running high. In just a few days, thousands of young people across the country will be either celebrating or commiserating as they open that all-important envelope. Eyes awash with tears of relief, of joy, of disappointment. But what happens if the results that they’re clutching aren’t quite what they’re expecting? What next? A recent piece of research conducted by Which? University revealed that more than half of students in England and Wales have no back-up plan if they fail to get the grades they need to get to their university of choice. What’s more, almost three-quarters of applicants (70%) have not researched the clearing process for unfilled degree places (as reported by the BBC).

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Giving learners 'added value'

By David Grailey, Chief Executive, Thursday 12 September 2013

David Grailey

Welcome back and we hope you enjoyed a relaxing break.  It’s the start of a new session – a time to look to the future and plan for a successful year ahead. There’s been a lot in the news this summer about the class of 2013; the young people who’ve received their GCSE and A-Level results and are looking to the next stage in their education and career. It can be a stressful time as teens face a daunting unemployment rate of 40%. There’s been a drop in the proportion of GCSE exam entries awarded top grades for the second year in a row and the overall pass rate also fell slightly, for the first time in the exam’s 25-year history. There’s also been a fall in the proportion of A-levels awarded top grades for the second time, after years of steady increases.

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GCSE Results 2013 - what's your opinion?

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Thursday 22 August 2013

Lindsay Plumpton

Exam results day – it’s a stressful time in the lives of teens across the country as they find out the grades they’ve been awarded in return for their hard work. In the current economic climate, it’s arguably even more nerve-racking as school leavers face a daunting unemployment rate of 40%. So what’s been the outcome for the class of 2013? Well, there’s been a drop in the proportion of GCSE exam entries awarded top grades for the second year in a row and the overall pass rate also fell slightly, for the first time in the exam’s 25-year history.  

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Young people facing poor exam results fear ‘life without hope’

By David Grailey, Chief Executive, Tuesday 13 August 2013

David Grailey

Over a third of 16-25 year olds with poor exam results surveyed for The Prince's Trust charity believed they would "end up on benefits". The report suggested that many had experienced problems at school or home so their exam results did not reflect their true potential. In response to the report, the government said that it was "taking decisive action to transform vocational education" and a spokeswoman for the Department for Education (DfE) said the government would fund "a place in education or training for every 16 and 17-year-old who wants one".

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New-look GCSEs unveiled

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Tuesday 11 June 2013

Lindsay Plumpton

GCSEs in England are set to be overhauled, with exams graded from 8 to 1 rather than A* to G. It is proposed that the new-style exams will be brought in from 2015 and will spell the end of continuous assessment with a move towards final exams. Students will face more rigorous content and the format will be similar to O-Levels. The reforms will initially apply to a group of 9 core subjects.

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Education Secretary faces frosty reception at head teachers’ conference

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Monday 20 May 2013

Lindsay Plumpton

Education Secretary, Michael Gove, received an angry reception when he appeared before head teachers in Birmingham at the National Association of Head Teachers’ conference. The union passed a no confidence motion in his policies, while President Bernadette Hunter said that teachers and pupils have "never had it so bad" and that teaching staff live in a culture of “bullying.”

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Lack of confidence in GCSEs – what’s the answer?

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Wednesday 08 May 2013

Lindsay Plumpton

A recent survey conducted by qualifications regulator Ofqual suggests that many teachers, heads and parents lack confidence in GCSE grades. The research (carried out by 4,686 people) showed that four out of five head teachers and two-thirds of teachers have had their confidence knocked by the grading controversy of last year. Ofqual would like to see faith in GCSEs restored, but what’s the answer and how can these concerns be addressed? Michael Gove suggests that the survey highlights the need for fundamental reform. A Department for Education spokesperson stated, "New GCSEs will be introduced from 2015 - they will be more rigorous, with deeper subject content and will match the best equivalent exams in the world.”

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'Tech Bacc' announced to boost status of vocational courses

By Lindsay Plumpton, Communications Leader, Monday 22 April 2013

Lindsay Plumpton

The Government has announced plans to introduce a Technical Baccalaureate as a 'mark of achievement' for the 50% of school-leavers who don't go on to university. It will consist of 3 strands, including an approved vocational qualification equivalent to Level 3, a core Maths qualification and an 'extended project’ designed to test skills in communication, research and motivation. The Department for Education is currently consulting on the list of vocational qualifications that will qualify for inclusion on the 'Tech Bacc' approved list. These vocational qualifications could be in any sector area from engineering to hairdressing, but will be taught at a level of complexity on a par with A-levels.

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