They're learning!? - one

The Daily Telegraph announced yesterday that Ofqual, the qualification regulator has approved the use of the International GCSE in state schools.

It seems that 250 schools in the fee-paying sector used the IGCSE last year, and regard them as a better preparation for A-levels. (Let us hope that they will do the same for A-levels soon as well.) A number of grammar schools have been asking the government for permission o offer the IGCSE as a highly respected international qualification, but hitherto have been refused.

If the government accept the proposal, then effectively they will have ended the "one test fits all" policy brought in over 20 years ago, and effectively gone back to the old GCE and CSE distinction. This will be hard for the government to accept, but we already see that "one test fits all"has become rather ridiculous, with passes at a few percent, and having starred (and double starred) A grades.

There is thus increasingly and effectively a two tiered system, and so long as equivalencies can be laid down, such the old grade 1 CSE = grade 3 GCE, then all should be protected.

But don't bet on the government swallowing the bitter ideological pill!