NEW Subject specific information
This page has been updated with subject specific changes. For more details, please see below.
Following the Wolf report, the Government is reforming performance tables from summer 2014. To date, we know that:
- all qualifications (irrespective of size/number of guided learning hours) will count as one in KS4 performance indicators
- dual award GCSEs (eg GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science) will still count as two separate qualifications
- existing full course GCSEs, established iGCSEs and AS-levels will count towards all existing measures in Key Stage 4 performance tables.
From 2014, no qualification can be counted as more than one qualification in the headline measures of performance. GCSEs, established AQA Certificates and AS levels
will continue to count in performance tables. Other qualifications will need to demonstrate the characteristics described below in order to be included.
The government:
intends to encourage schools to focus on GCSEs and a narrower range of high quality vocational qualifications by limiting the number of so-called equivalent
qualifications that count in the Key Stage 4 performance tables. Only a maximum of two qualifications per pupil that are not GCSEs established AQA Certificates or AS
levels will be counted in the headline measures in the performance tables from 2014.
These changes will affect performance tables from 2014 onwards.
Qualifications must be at least equivalent in size to a GCSE (120 guided learning hours) – hence short course GCSEs will no longer be included:
- they must use a grading system (ie cannot be pass/fail only)
- they must include both synoptic and external assessment
- they must lead to progression to study at a higher level in the same field or more broadly
- they must have a proven track record although new qualifications may be able to demonstrate this at a later date
- content covered must be appropriate.
Schools may offer qualifications that do not meet the above criteria and all qualifications will be reported in line
with the Government's transparency agenda. However, qualifications that do not meet the above criteria cannot be counted in headline measures.
DfE have stated (in Qualifications for 14
– 16 year olds and performance tables) that:
Regardless of whether a qualification is included in headline performance tables measures, in future our general rule will be that all qualifications regulated by
Ofqual will be approved on Section 96 to be funded for teaching, subject to minimal checks that they are not inappropriate for 14-16 year olds. There may be students for
whom qualifications not included in the list for headline measures are the most appropriate ones for them. Where it is in a student's best interest, schools are
encouraged to teach qualifications not included on the list.
- % achieving 5 or more GCSEs (or the equivalent) at grades A*–C including English and Maths GCSE
- % achieving the Basics (English & maths at grades A*–C)
- % achieving the English Bacc
- progress measures
- value added measures
- average point score (across subjects in 5 A*–C measure).
Please note, it has not been decided yet if these headline measures will remain the same in the future.
The following year groups will have results for their courses reported under the new performance measures:
- Y9 starting KS4 courses in Sept 2011 (finish July 2014)
- Y9 starting KS4 courses in Sept 2012 (finish July 2015)
- Y10 starting KS4 courses in Sept 2012 (finish July 2014)
- Y9 starting KS4 courses in Sept 2013 (finish July 2016)
- Y10 starting KS4 courses in Sept 2013 (finish July 2015).
Y10 starting KS4 courses in Sept 2011 (finish July 2013) will have results of courses they are doing now reported under old performance measures.
English Baccalaureate
Applied GCSEs do not count in the EBacc. They are included in other KS4 performance measures such as 5+A*–C including English and maths and will do so in 2014. No decisions have as yet been made on content of Performance Tables beyond 2014.
AQA Certificates (iGCSEs)
Our AQA Certificates in English Language and English Literature (iGCSEs) will be included in the performance tables. They will count towards the 5+ GCSEs A*hC Grade measure (including equivalents) but will not count towards the English component in the 5+ A*–C Grades English GCSE measure, the English progress measure or the English Baccalaureate.
Once they have a proven track record, they can be considered for inclusion in 2016.
Clarification from Ofqual – English Literature and English Language (GCSE)
For English Language to be included as the English subject performance measure, a student must also enter for, sit and achieve a grade A* – U in the English Literature exam. This is a current regulation.
| GCSE Mathematics 4360
GCSE Mathematics 4365
GCSE Methods in Mathematics
GCSE Applications of Mathematics | Yes | Yes | |
| Linked pair pilot comprising:
GCSE Methods in Mathematics and
GCSE Applications of Mathematics
| Yes | Yes, either qualification counts but both must be taken | The linked pair pilot is currently due to run until 2013.
|
Level 1/2 Certificate in Use of Mathematics (pre–16 funding
Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics |
Yes | No | |
Functional skills at all levels
Entry Level Certificate
Level 1 and level 2 FSMQ |
No | No | These qualifications can still be used by schools and will be reported under the Government's transparency agenda |
Our AQA Certificates in Biology and Chemistry and Physics are now accredited and are available for teaching with first examinations in the summer of 2013. These iGCSEs don't yet count in the performance tables. However, once they have proven a track record, they can be considered for inclusion in the future.
You can find out more information about the iGCSE.
English Bacc
From 2014, full course GCSE Languages specifications will still be included in the English Bacc measure.
The short course specifications will no longer be included in the KS4 performance tables.
AQA Certificates (iGCSEs)
Our AQA Certificate in Languages (iGCSE) should be accredited by May, enabling students to pursue vocational interests. The certificate does not feature speaking or writing controlled assessments and although it will not immediately count in performance tables, it can be considered for inclusion in 2016.
Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education (FCSE)
To meet DfE performance table requirements, the content of our FCSE specification will be streamlined and the speaking component externally set and assessed.
The current specification remains unchanged and will continue to attract performance table points until final certification in 2013.
For first teaching in September 2012 and certification in 2014, the revised specification retains all the popular FCSE features. It will count towards performance tables in 2014 for full course French, German and Spanish.
Rewarding all kinds of language achievement, FCSE can be started at any time of year. It prepares students for GCSE with linkable topics to ensure vocabulary growth.
The reforms to performance tables mean some small changes for GCSE History. The full course GCSE History specifications will continue to be included in the humanities component of the English Bacc measure from 2014 but short course GCSEs will no longer be included in headline measures.
AQA Certificates (iGCSEs)
Our AQA Certificate (iGCSE) in History is now accredited and will be available for teaching from September 2012. The AQA Certificate doesn't yet count in the performance tables and will not be included for 2014. However, once it has a track record, it can be considered for inclusion in the 2016 performance tables.
AQA Certificates (iGCSEs)
Our AQA Certificate (iGCSE) in Geography is now accredited and will be available for first examination and certification in June 2013. This AQA Certificate doesn't yet count in the performance tables and will not be included for 2014. However, once it has a track record, it can be considered for inclusion in the 2016 performance tables.
