HC Deb 12 March 1987 vol 112 cc263-4W
Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department has available pertaining to the progress of the production of general certificate of secondary education syllabuses for modes 1, 2 and 3; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

GCSE mode 1 syllabuses in all subjects were distributed to schools before the end of 1986. Mode 2 and mode 3 syllabuses are designed by the schools themselves and are subject to approval by the examining groups. Information about these syllabuses is not collected centrally.

Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what materials and in-service training have been provided to teachers for in-course assessment for the general certificate of secondary education; and if they have been provided according to the timetable originally set.

Mrs. Rumbold

Introductory GCSE training for all teachers was completed according to the timetable originally set, as was the distribution of associated training materials and subject guides. Further subject-specific training is currently in progress and will continue throughout the early years of the GCSE.

Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department has on the progress made in introducing grade criteria for the general certificate of secondary education; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Secondary Examination Council is currently revising the draft grade criteria for the 10 most commonly studied subjects which it published in September 1985. The SEC is planning to trial the draft criteria for English, history and mathematics by means of pilot examinations as soon as possible.

Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken by his Department to monitor the implementation of in-course assessment for the general certificate of secondary education for each regional examination board; if the process of implementation has followed the timetable originally prescribed; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Department receives advice from the Secondary Examinations Council about each GCSE group's plans and progress in the implementation of the requirements of the syllabuses. The GCSE groups completed the national, introductory training to the timetable originally set. Further training is continuing throughout the early years of the GCSE.