General Certificate of Secondary Education Geography GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education

How did the GCSE develop? GCE ‘O’ Level Introduced 1951 Age 16 Top 20% Grammar/independent CSE Introduced mid 1960s Wider range of ability (60%) Grade 1 = ‘O’ level Grade C Grade 4 = average for the whole age group

The problems with a two qualification system Consistency and comparability of modes of assessment Public understanding Status – CSE ‘second class qualification’ Many different awards (Modes 1, 2 and 3) Variable quality of courses (Raising of School Leaving Age 1974)

The origins of GCSE 1970s – Schools’ Council discussions Joint 16+ trials 1979 – Labour planned to introduce ‘GCSE’, but lose election 1980s – SEC asked to advise 1986 – Single exam accepted, with A – G scale 3 exam boards created + Wales + NI

Features of the GCSE General and Subject Specific criteria (Originally) ‘O’ level boards responsible for grades A- C (Level 2); CSE boards for D-G (Level 1). (A* introduced in 1994) Criterion and Norm referenced Differentiated papers (tiered) Neglected ‘bottom 40%’ Positive achievement Increased performance and staying on rates Strong government influence (DfES and QCA)

Examination boards There are now five examination boards offering GCSEs: Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) Edexcel Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA)

Tiering In many subjects, two different 'tiers‘ offered: Higher, grades A*–D Foundation, grades C-G If a candidate fails to obtain a Grade G on the Foundation tier or a Grade D on the Higher tier they will fail the course and receive a U.

Distinctive features of Key Stage 4 Annual rising standards at GCSE level; ‘grade inflation’ Transition period – choice after compulsory curriculum at KS3 Greater flexibility and choice post 16 Higher ‘staying on’ rates post 16 – last stage of compulsory education, but is this the end point for most students? Some students disaffected; exclusion rates highest in KS4; vocational options?

Challenges and Opportunities for Geography: 2010-2014 Candidate numbers were falling at GCSE and A level Perception of how useful geography is, in career terms Gove’s plans to promote an English Baccalaureate; including a compulsory humanities subject Controlled Assessment Broad and balanced curriculum Coherence and progression The 14-19 context (Nuffield Review)

What’s the situation now? GCSE entry numbers have increased (investigate this for yourself, by going to http://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/gcses/gcse- and-entry-level-certificate-results-summer-2014 In turn, the job market for geography teachers has expanded There is a likely ‘knock on effect’ for AS and A2 numbers, particularly in light of stories like this: http://university.which.co.uk/advice/six-things-you-need- to-know-before-making-your-a-level-choices http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationpicture galleries/9852535/Ten-recession-proof-degree- subjects.html?frame=2472759 BUT there is another huge reform on the way…. https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reforming- qualifications-and-the-curriculum-to-better-prepare-pupils-for- life-after-school/supporting-pages/gcse-reform