§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on(a) the role of coursework in the GCSE examination and (b) the International GCSE qualification developed by Edexcel exam board. [136709]
§ Mr. MilibandCoursework can be a valuable way of assessing achievement that cannot readily be demonstrated in an examination. The setting and assessment of coursework can help teaching and learning processes by measuring and encouraging the development of important skills not easily tested in timed written examinations, like the ability to tackle extended pieces of written work. The 14–19 Reform Group is considering the place of coursework in the 14–19 curriculum.
The concept of an IGCSE is not a new one. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate has offered this type of examination since 1986. IGSEs 78W have been designed as qualifications primarily for overseas candidates, with some take up in the independent sector. Unlike GCSEs they are not approved for use in maintained schools and are not subject to any regulatory mechanisms.