22nd April 2014 9:00
By Blue Tutors
The new GCSES and A Levels for England have been revealed after months of consultation and several delays. The new exams place an increased emphasis on maths skills, with a tough maths exam and increased mathematical elements in science subjects. Additionally, the new curriculum requires understanding of central banks and financial regulation, which features both in the Economics syllabus and an also on an unseen text for A’ level English. The new exams will now be introduced between 2015 and 2016, after delays caused criticism of the plans from the government’s education consultants, and the concern that schools could not implement the exams as early as expected.
The Education Secretary has said that the new exams are rigorous, and would correct the deficiencies of the previous system which was marred by claims of dumbing down, and grade inflation. He announced that the changes to the exams would make them more credible and challenging for the brightest students, in addition to preparing students better for employment and higher education. There are also plans to introduce further changes to science exams to allow them to involve more practical work, but exams regulator Ofqual has yet to explain how the changes will be implemented.
The plans have attracted criticism from schools, who say that the changes will be difficult to implement and puts them under enormous pressure. There is still confusion over the switch to the new exams, and fears that some students will be studying the old curriculum but taking the new exam. Head teachers have warned that the changes have been implemented too hastily, especially given the scale of the reforms.