Ofqual confirms how new GCSE grades will be awarded

Ofqual has confirmed how the new GCSE grades, which will be graded from 9 to 1, will be awarded.

The new grading system is set to come into effect in 2017 for English language, English literature and mathematics GCSEs, with other subjects following in coming years.

The change will see the old system of grading from A* to G replaced by a system that grades from 9 to 1, with 9 being the top grade. The change aims to more accurately reflect the differentiation of students’ abilities and achievements

A formula will be used that means around 20 per cent of all grades at 7 or above will be a grade 9, with the grade 8 boundary equally spaced between 7 and 9. In line with the current standard, the number of grades 7, 8 and 9 will be based on the proportion of the cohort who would have been expected to be awarded an A or A* had the reforms not been introduced.

Sally Collier, chief regulator at Ofqual, said: “The aim of the new formula for awarding grade 9 is to be as fair as possible. The proportion of students achieving A* varies from subject to subject, and it will be the same with the new grade 9. Those who rely on GCSEs will know that those students achieving the top grade have performed exceptionally.”

Commenting on the announcement, Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “We welcome the announcement today on awarding the top grades for new GCSEs. The modified approach seems the most sensible and equitable way to award those grades.

“It is disappointing that changes to the awarding of these grades in English and Maths in 2017 are being made now, when the courses have already begun. We recognise that this will align these courses with others, but any in-year changes are disruptive for both pupils and teachers.

“We welcome the fact that Ofqual has listened to our concerns around grade standards and will appraise the approach taken to awarding annually. In our consultation response we agreed that the grade standard established in the first award should inform the standard for subsequent years, but not set a definitive and absolute measure. We are pleased Ofqual has listened to school leaders to recognise this need for flexibility.”