In a bid to ensure pupils leave school better prepared for work or further study, GCSE and A-level qualifications have been overhauled in recent years. Although there is still some time before your child will be ready to consider their options, it helps to understand what they are likely to face in the future.
For the first time in 2017, GCSE students didn’t just receive their grades in subjects in the usual A*-G format – in mathematics, English language and English literature they were graded on a scale between 9 and 1 instead. These were followed by a further 20 subjects including history, geography, double science, PE and art and design with the remaining subjects getting the new grades after that. A 9 is the top grade, while 1 is the lowest pass possible, with an outright fail still graded as a U. The top grades of A**, A* and A are broadly equivalent to a new grades of 9, 8 and 7, while pass marks of B and C have been replaced by grades 4, 5 and 6. At the lower end of the scale, grades D, E, F and G will be graded 3, 2 and 1. The Department for Education (DfE) says its GCSEs are designed to match the standards set by the strongest performing education systems in the world. While exam regulator Ofqual said the 1 to 9 scale helps them to better differentiate between the highest performing pupils and distinguish clearly between the new and old exams.
Meanwhile, changes were also introduced to the A-level system. The reforms saw a switch to assessment being mainly by exam and have also led to some subjects such as applied science and creative writing being scrapped. New style study programmes were introduced for some subjects in 2015 and since 2017 all courses have followed the same system. Courses are no longer divided into modules and all exams take place in the summer. The changes also mean that students have less coursework and fewer practical assessments.
T Levels, which are equivalent to three A-levels, have been introduced in recent years. The two-year courses were developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study. T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement. Subjects include in design, surveying and planning for construction; digital production, design and development; education and childcare; finance; hair, beauty and aesthetics; animal care and management; media, broadcast and production; and healthcare science.
Apprenticeships are also becoming an increasingly popular alternative to A-levels, with students looking to combine real work with academic study. It is also an opportunity for 16-year-olds to earn and learn at the same time as getting a foot in the door of their chosen industry. Apprentices split their time between the workplace and a training centre or college. They are expected to work for at least 30 hours a week and are treated like a permanent employee, receiving a salary, holidays and other benefits. Some programmes are structured so that an apprentice will spend four days in a week at work, and one day at college. Other employers will retain an apprentice for weeks or months at a time, and then send them to college for an extended study period. Anyone interested in an intermediate, or level 2 apprenticeship will usually require at least five GCSE passes. But there are different entry requirements depending on the sector and job. At any one time there are up to 28,000 apprenticeship vacancies available online in a variety of careers and industries across England – from accounting and animal care to plumbing and printing.
Other post-16 options, include Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). They are a great way to prepare for a career in a specific industry and lead directly to the workplace. Both qualifications are provided by further and higher education colleges. HNCs take about one year to complete full-time and two years part-time. It is equivalent to the first year of a degree. HNDs take two years full-time and can also be taken part-time, which takes longer. This is the equivalent to two years of a degree. Both HNCs and HNDs can be very practical qualifications, so they do not just involve theory.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOUR IDEAL CAREER PATH
When it comes to A-levels and a degree beyond that, there are a wide range of subjects to choose from. If your child wants to study certain subjects at university, or if they have a career area in mind, it’s important to check if they have any particular A-level entry requirements. They may not yet know what they want to do after A-levels, so here’s a quick guide to making choices.
The most important criteria for choosing A-level subjects are: Are there any particular subjects and grades you may need? – If you have a particular career, job or further study in mind you may need to choose certain A-levels in order to meet entry requirements.
Ability and enjoyment – Think about the subjects you are good at and like. If you enjoy what you’re studying you are likely to be more motivated. If you have ability in your chosen subjects you can increase your chances of success.
New subjects – Schools and colleges may offer A-levels in subjects that you have not studied before – it’s really worth taking some time to find out what’s involved in new subjects.
Subject combinations – Some subjects cover common ground – such as geography and environmental studies. You need to check they’re not too similar as some colleges and universities may not accept the combination for entry to higher level courses. Some subject combinations fit well together – such as doing physics as well as mathematics or another science. This can help you meet entry requirements for higher level courses in future.
