CURRICULUM, ASSESSMENT & REPORTING – NOTES FROM ASCL
CONFERENCE
iGCSE
•The qualifications below will be removed from the lists of non-GCSE qualifications that count in the
key stage 4 performance tables. REVISED DECISION
•They will remain only on the EBacc list and therefore all these level 1/2 (IGCSE style) qualifications
will count in performance measures in the same way as other qualifications on the EBacc list.
•The EBacc list will also be amended to reflect this position. You asked whether this intention could
be applied to qualifications entered in January 2015 as well as Summer 2015 and beyond; I can
confirm that it will apply for qualifications entered in 2015.The table below also shows qualifications
that will count only for 2016 entry
2015
AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics
WJEC Level 2 Certificate in Latin Language
WJEC Level 2 Certificate in Latin Language and Roman Civilisation
AQA Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in English Language
AQA Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in English Literature
WJEC Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in English Language
WJEC Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in English Literature
2016 (in addition to the above)
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in Geography
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in History
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in Science: Double Award
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in French
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in German
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in Spanish
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in Biology
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in Physics
AQA Level 1/2 Certificate in Chemistry
TIMELINE FOR CHANGE
ASCL have produced a timeline of all curriculum changes – I have placed a copy of the website
curriculcum_assessment_and_accountability_poster_nov_2014
Curriculum Changes
KS2 2014-15
•Maintained schools
•New national curriculum 2014 all subjects except English, mathematics and science for years 2 and
6
•NC levels still exist for year 2 and 6
•Draft performance descriptors, for use from summer 2016 in statutory teacher assessment, due to
be published by the end of October on www.gov.uk
•Sample questions and sample tests for new KS2 tests in English, mathematics and science available
in summer 2015
Current Year 6 following old NC so when they come to Year 7 there may be a need for transition
units to ensure they have the grounding for the new GCSEs
KS2 2015-16
•New reception class baseline tests –not compulsory but must be used if school wishes to be judged
on progress and not just attainment
•All years now taught the new national curriculum
•New performance descriptors for use in statutory teacher assessment at the end of KS1 and 2 –
summer 2016
•New end of key stage tests in English and mathematics (and science sample test)
•Schools should “aim for 85% of pupils making the expected standard” and making “sufficient
progress” in reading, writing and mathematics
KS3 2014-15
•New national curriculum in all subjects all years (maintained) need to bridge the gap in the core
•No year groups will have had new primary curriculum
•Students will enter year 7 with NC KS2 levels
•Work on assessment (formative and summative) should be “under way”
KS3 2015-16
•Students will enter year 7 with NC KS2 levels
•Year 7 students will not have covered new KS2 curriculum in English, maths or science
KS3 2016-17
•Students will enter year 7 with new ks2 test scores -based on reading, writing and mathematics
KS4 2014-15
•New NC for all subjects except English, maths and science
•‘Old’ NC science applies until 2016 for year 10, 2017 year 11
•Preparations for new GCSEs in English language, English literature and mathematics for first
teaching 2015
•3 year KS4 this will actually be first teaching from 2014
•Choose specification and awarding bodies –list of accredited qualifications changes daily and can be
found at: http://ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-reform/accreditedreformed-qualifications/
•List of which qualifications count in performance tables form 2017 onwards can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/qualifications-counting-in-future-performance-tables
MAKE SURE THAT SPECIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED – MANY HAVE NOT BEEN TO DATE –
SOME MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OLD AND NEW AND DRAFT AND ACCREDITED
Timetable for other subjects
2015-16
First teaching of new GCSE English language, English literature and mathematics
2016-17
First teaching of all other new GCSEs
Information regularly updated here:
http://ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-reform/
Consultations on Science re practical work and RE in relation to content
KS42014-15
•Schools receive ‘shadow data’ to inform how they would have performed against the new progress
8 measure (based on summer 2014 results) to help inform decisions about whether to opt in early
•Schools must “advise students at risk of not obtaining at least a grade C in English and mathematics
GCSE on their options for continuing to study for these qualifications post 16” This is a statutory
responsibility
•Independent schools -does not apply
iGCSE and other level 1 / 2 qualifications
“The current arrangements for recognising other academic qualifications, such as level 1/level 2
certificates (sometimes known as iGCSEs) will end with the introduction of reformed GCSEs”
2015-16: Level 1/level 2 certificates in English and maths will not be included in the 2017
performance tables (due to be published in January 2018)
2016-17: Level 1/level 2 certificates in subjects being reformed for first teaching from September
2016 (including history, geography, languages and the sciences) will not be included in the 2018
performance tables
Maths and Statistics
•In 2015 and 2016 GCSE statistics will be counted in an ‘open’ slot of Progress 8, regardless of
whether or not a pupil has also taken an Ebacc mathematics qualification. The DfE will review this
position for the 2017 performance tables in light of decisions made on the extent of overlap of GCSE
statistics with the new GCSE in mathematics, to ensure that the measure continues to promote
breadth of study.
•The DfE are currently in the process of updating the ‘information for schools’ document on our
website here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/progress-8-school-performance-measure
•This should include information on maths and stats in the next few days
.
Vocational qualifications KS4
•Since 2012 DfE has issued an annual list of level 1 and level 2 non-GCSE qualifications which will be
recognised in performance tables
•The 2017 list, to be published in November 2014, will introduce the term ‘Technical Awards’ to
describe these qualifications.
Must haves…
•External assessment: a minimum of 25% of the content externally assessed. New qualifications that
will be first reported in 2018 tables will need to have 40%.
•Synoptic assessment
•In addition, after 2016 results no vocational qualifications in EBacc subjects will be recognised for
performance tables. This chiefly affects vocational science qualifications; vocational ICT
qualifications will still be eligible for consideration even if there is some content that is common with
Computing.
New GCSE Grades




Gone with comparable outcomes rather than criterion referencing
The percentage getting each grade will be based on a cohort ability profile based on
performance at KS2.
This prevents year on year improvement
Governors need to understand the implications.
‘Anchor’ points
There will be links between the old scale and the new scale
•bottom of grade C _ _ _ bottom of grade 4
•bottom of grade A _ _ _ bottom of grade 7
•bottom of grade G _ _ _ bottom of grade 1
Grade 9 (A**) will be top 20% of those gaining a 7+
•NOT grade C = grade 4
Likely that the new Grade 5 will be Threshold standard which is the TOP 1/3 of those
currently achieving a C and BOTTOM 1/3 of those currently achieving a B
NATIONAL REFERENCE TESTS
2017
“Independent measure of how 16 year olds are achieving in English and mathematics”
A series of papers in English and mathematics
Some students will take all papers, some will take some
Will include post 16
From 2018 the reference test outcomes will be used with comparable outcomes to set grade
boundaries
Further information
Setting grade standards announcements
http://ofqual.gov.uk/news/setting-standards-new-gcses-2017/
Updated information about accreditation
http://ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-reform/accredited-reformedqualifications/
Consultation on 2016 subjects
http://comment.ofqual.gov.uk/developing-new-qualifications-for-2016/
POST 16 CHANGES
A levels
•First teaching in 2015:English language, English literature, English language and literature, biology,
chemistry, physics, psychology, art and design, business studies, computing, economics, history and
sociology. Updated version is here:
http://ofqual.gov.uk/documents/update-on-the-reforms-being-made-to-as-qualifications-a-levels/
•First teaching in 2016: Mathematics, further mathematics, modern foreign languages (MFL),
ancient languages, geography, RS, drama, dance, music and PE
 As things stand today, the subjects going ahead for first teaching in 2016 are MFL, ancient
languages, geography, drama, dance, music and physical education.
 Religious Studies is likely to be one of them too, though on Friday Ofqual launched a further
consultation regarding RE.
(See https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/religious-studies-gcses-as-and-a-levels-newqualifications-for-2016)
 Design & Technology has been put back to 2017.
 There is still discussion over the timetable for maths and further maths.
 Ofqual say one of the issues is about the progression from new GCSE to new A level.
 With a 2016 start for A level, the first cohort won’t have followed the new maths GCSE.…..
 Other subjects -consultation
•The list of A levels which have been accredited so far is changing daily –it is updated here:
http://ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification-reform/accredited-reformedqualifications/
•Assessment will normally be by examination only, except in subjects where some non-examined
assessment is the best approach, such as history or computing
•Assessment will be available only in the summer
•The new A and AS levels will continue to be graded from A to E, with an additional A* grade
available at A level only.
Confusion with HE and their understanding/acceptance of new AS levels – may have to be
explained in UCAS reference
Post 16 2014-15
•From Sept 2014 studying appropriate qualifications in maths and English (for students who have
not achieved a grade A*-C) becomes a condition of funding –updated guidance can be found
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/improving-the-quality-of-further-education-and-skillstraining
•New guidance on other 16-19 study requirements
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-study-programmes-advice-on-planningand-delivery
•ASCL guidance regarding A/ AS level
http://www.ascl.org.uk/utilities/document-summary.html?id=A7C44B50-F002-44039468B77C83A255E2
Post 16 vocational 2014-15
•From September 2014 vocational qualifications at level 3 will be classified as either Tech levels or
Applied General qualifications –if they are approved for performance tables
•Tech levels –are for students wishing to specialise in a specific industry, occupation etc. and enable
entry to apprenticeship or other employment or progression to HE
•Applied General -are for students wanting to continue their education through applied learning,
and which fulfil entry requirements for a range of higher education courses
•External assessment: a minimum of 25% of the content externally assessed for SVQL2
qualifications, 30% for TL and 40% for AG
•Synoptic assessment: to help a student develop appreciation of the connections across a subject
•Employer involvement: For TL and SVQL2 only. Employers must be involved in the delivery and / or
assessment of these qualifications.
Post 16 2014-15
•Lists of Technical awards will be published on the DfE website in November 2014 –for teaching
September 2015 –these will be updated in January 2015
•Lists of technical and vocational qualifications to be updated in January 2016
•Core maths specifications will become available –”autumn”
•November 2014 DfE will publish a list of core maths qualifications which will be included in the level
3 maths measure in 2017 performance tables
•Updated list of what counts in the 2016 performance tables is
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vocational-qualifications-for-14-to-19-year-olds
Post 16 2015-16
•First teaching of the new, standalone AS qualification and linear A levels in the first group of
subjects.
•Last exams for unitised (modular) AS and A levels in the first group of subjects.
•First exams for AS a linear, standalone qualification in the first group of subjects.
•Last results for unitised (modular) AS and A levels in the first group of subjects.
•First results for linear, standalone AS in the first group of subjects.
•Level 2 qualifications
•From September 2015, a new category of post 16 vocational qualification will be introduced:
•Substantial Vocational Qualifications at level 2(SVQL2)are for students wishing to specialise in a
specific industry, occupation or occupational group.
•The purpose will be to prepare students either for entry to employment in occupations where
employers recognise entry at level 2, or where a level 2 qualification is required before students can
progress to a Tech Level.