Call to axe the ‘middle-class’ GCSE questions

EXAM chiefs have launched a crackdown on ‘middle-class bias’ in GCSE and A-level papers, such as questions on the theatre or skiing.

Ofqual, the exams regulator, wants exam papers to be more accessible to disadvantaged pupils by avoiding topics which might alienate them.

The drive mainly applies to maths, science and languages, where so-called ‘cultural capital’ is not crucial to the subject.

There have previously been questions in maths involving the theatre, while language papers asked about skiing holidays and volunteering abroad.

Ofqual chief regulator Dr Jo Saxton said: ‘Exams must not unfairly disadvantage any student because of poor design.’