Jump to main content
Search
shortlist register contact us menu

Ofqual to raise awareness of switch to numerical GCSE grades

Date posted : 18 January 2017

Exams regulator Ofqual has pledged to take further action to raise awareness of imminent changes to England's GCSE grading system, which remain poorly understood at present.

The present paradigm of allocating letter-based grades from A* to G for GCSE students will be phased out in favour of numerical ratings from nine to one commencing this summer, but the majority of people do not understand the implications of this change yet, reports BBC News.

A small survey carried out by Ofqual has indicated that only 31 per cent of secondary pupils are clear about how the new system works, while for parents this figure stood at 30 per cent.

Additional research with 50 human resources leaders showed that less than half understood it, while among small businesses, this figure drops to around one-fifth.

To address this, Ofqual will be expanding its publicity drive - which currently includes a series of online workshops for teaching staff in schools and universities - to include employers in the coming months, with the Department of Education also getting involved to communicate the basics of the changes, including the fact that nine is the highest grade.

A spokesman from the Department for Education said: "Our GCSE reforms will create gold-standard qualifications that match the best education systems in the world and allow young people to compete in an increasingly global workplace.

"We continue to work closely with the sector to ensure they understand what the changes will mean for them when they come into effect later this year."

The numerical grading system will make its debut this summer, with those sitting English and maths GCSEs receiving a mixture of number and letter grades. By summer 2018, a mix of numbers and letters will be awarded in an additional 20 subjects, ahead of the complete replacement of the old letter system by 2019.

List #1

Related posts

TP 30 Years - Danielle

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Patrick

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Hannah

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years.  The impact we have on our schools and educat

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Vicky

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Rebecca

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Jenny

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her

Teaser

Read more
Future Teachers Programme - Gemma's Story

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp

Teaser

Read more
Future Teachers Programme - Ben Whittle

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are

Teaser

Read more
Future Teachers Programme - Anna's Story

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

What motivated you to join the Future Teachers Programme? I was first motivated to join the programme when I was looking for different pathways into teaching that wasn’t the PGCE route. I was look

Teaser

Read more
National Teaching Assistants’ Day: Celebrating the Difference TAs Make

Teaser

Awareness Days

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

National Teaching Assistants’ Day is a chance to recognise the incredible impact teaching assistants have in classrooms every day. From supporting individual pupils to hel

Teaser

Read more
company logo
Search