Press Release
Ofqual announces 'tightening' of GCSEs in key subjects
24 February 2012
Ofqual today announces moves to strengthen GCSEs in English literature, mathematics, history, and geography.
Chief Executive Glenys Stacey said: "We are tightening GCSEs in these key subjects to make sure students cover the whole curriculum.
"We want our young people to have the best possible educational experience, with qualifications that prepare them for the future.
"The exam boards have welcomed this steer from the regulator and are to look again at these qualifications and how the rules are interpreted to make sure that young people taking them have to study an appropriate range and depth of the subject."
The planned timetable for the changes to GCSEs is as follows:
• Geography to be tightened for first teaching in September 2012
• History and English literature to be tightened up for first teaching in September 2013
• Mathematics papers improved from November 2012.
The introduction of GCSEs with all exams at the end of the courses, and separate marks for accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) in English literature, history, geography and religious studies, is continuing as scheduled.
All examinations in English literature, history, geography and religious studies will include the assessment of SPaG from September 2012 onwards. Exams will take place at the end of all GCSE courses from summer 2014 onwards.
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