GCSE (Hansard, 21 October 1991)

§ Mr. Fatchett
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the representations he has received since January in favour of limiting the percentage of course work in GCSE examinations.

§ Mr. Eggar
Since January 1991, my right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of letters in support of further limitations on the percentage of GCSE marks acquired through course work. These letters were private and it would not thus be appropriate to list the correspondents.

§ Mr. Fatchett
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met(a) the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, (b) the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics and (c) the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the integration between GCSE and A-level examinations.

§ Mr. Eggar
My right hon. and learned Friend meets these organisations from time to time to discuss matters of mutual interest, including aspects of education for 16 to 19-year-olds as a preparation for higher education and employment. The question of integration between GCSE and A-level examinations has at no time arisen.

§ Mr. Fatchett
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department has made any assessment of the impact of course work upon(a) standards and (b) pupil motivation in relation to GCSE.

§ Mr Eggar
HM inspectorate has reported that course work is of a variable quality, may fail to bring out the best in pupils at both ends of the ability range, and may be inadequately moderated. The HMI, however, reported that it has a generally positive effect on pupil motivation.

§ Mr. Fatchett
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on trends in A-level results since the introduction of the GCSE examination.

§ Mr. Eggar
In the first year that candidates with GCSEs sat A-level examinations, 1989–90, the overall proportion of entries resulting in grades A to E rose by 1 per cent. to 77 per cent. In 1990–91 there was a further rise to 78 per cent.
In 1989–90, 20 per cent. of school leavers had achieved two or more A-levels at grades A to E: a rise of 2.7 percentage points on the previous year. Figures for 1990–91 are not yet available.