State schools close the gap on private thanks to new GCSES
Reduced amount of coursework used in latest exams favours state pupils, say education experts
THE new GCSE grading system has helped state schools to close the gap on private schools, the latest figures show.
Results published today show a fall in the proportion of private school students achieving top grades, while the national average improved.
Education leaders last night said private schools should consider “dancing to the tune” of the state system as the national average for students achieving an A or 7 grade and above jumped from 19.8 per cent last year to 23.3 per cent this year.
However, the percentage of students at private schools achieving the same declined from 62.9 per cent in 2017 to 62.6 per cent this year, according to figures published by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) today.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph last night, Sir Anthony Seldon, the former headmaster of Wellington College and vice-chancellor of Buckingham University, said: “I think the latest results – and the narrowing of the playing field – are rather striking. I think it is a reflection of a far greater focus in state schools on passing of exams and a sustained effort to drive up standards, which of course is very much down to Michael Gove.
“But this has been some time in the making. This is also a reflection of the work of the three Bs: Blair, Blunkett and [Sir Michael] Barber, who as head of Blair’s delivery unit went into meticulous detail on improving standards.”
Sir Anthony went on to add: “The IGCSES [International General Certificates of Secondary Education – an exam favoured by private schools] were the gold standard at one stage but I don’t think that the case any longer. I think this year’s result might make them think more about the reformed courses and whether they should start dancing more to the tune of state schools.”
More than 1,100 schools still sat the Cambridge IGCSE examinations this year, compared to more than 2000 schools last year.
Under the new GCSES, which are now graded 9 to 1, many of the subjects have had their coursework element removed all together.
Chris Mcgovern, chairman of Campaign for Real Education, said: “I think the lack of coursework is a clear reason for the changing figures. There is no doubt that middle-class parents and their teachers could support pupils in coursework but this now isn’t possible.
“I hope that the gap will narrow between the national and private average now this element has been taken away – disadvantaged children suffered with coursework as their parents are less likely to be able to offer the same level of support. Removing coursework makes the system fairer.”
Last month Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, told The Telegraph that some schools rely heavily on coursework to boost grades, with teachers offering extra help to low-ability pupils who may not fare well in the final exams.
The former headmaster at Harrow School said: “Schools with a number of weaker pupils, who relied more heavily on coursework in the past, may find their results plummeting.”