Geography GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education How

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 1960 s Age 16 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 • 1970 s – Schools’ Council discussions • Joint 16+ trials • 1979 – Labour planned to introduce ‘GCSE’, but lose election • 1980 s – 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 AC (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 (Df. ES 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 KS 3 • Greater flexibility and choice post 16 • Higher ‘staying on’ rates post 16 – last stage of compulsory education, but is the end point for most students? • Some students disaffected; exclusion rates highest in KS 4; 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/gcseand-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 A 2 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/educationpicture galleries/9852535/Ten-recession-proof-degreesubjects. html? frame=2472759 • BUT there is another huge reform on the way…. ▫ https: //www. gov. uk/government/policies/reformingqualifications-and-the-curriculum-to-better-prepare-pupils-forlife-after-school/supporting-pages/gcse-reform