Written question asked by Lord Lucas (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Morgan of Drefelin (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2009.

Schools: International GCSEs

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government why it is necessary for International GCSEs to be accredited in order for them to be included in contextual value added calculations.

Answer: Qualifications are reported in the achievement and attainment tables if they have been approved by the Secretary of State for use in maintained schools. Before a qualification can be considered for approval, it must be accredited by the independent regulator Ofqual. Ofqual's accreditation process is necessary to ensure that qualifications from awarding bodies meet specific requirements and are aligned to the national curriculum programmes of study in England. International GCSEs have not been submitted for accreditation to Ofqual. It would be inconsistent to set up an independent regulator and then approve qualifications that are outside its remit. Until such a time as Ofqual has accredited those qualifications and they are approved for use in maintained schools, we would not be in a position to include them in the achievement and attainment tables, including the contextual value added calculations.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2439; 709 c286-7WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Schools: Performance Tables
Monday, 20 April 2009
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Statistics Standards Schools IGCSE
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk