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 further to the Answer by Baroness Morgan of Drefelin on 23 March (Official Report, House of Lords, col. 441) that "IGCSEs have not been submitted for accreditation to Ofqual", whether some international GCSEs have been accredited, but under a different name.

Answer: International GCSEs (iGCSE) have not been put forward for accreditation by either of the two awarding bodies which offer them, Edexcel and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). CIE put forward for accreditation a number of Cambridge International Certificates, which are similar to its iGCSEs. These have recently been accredited by Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator, and have come to Ministers for approval for use in the maintained sector under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. We expect to make a decision shortly.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2510; 709 c287WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Schools: Performance Tables
Monday, 23 March 2009
Oral questions
House of Lords; Schools: Performance Tables
Monday, 23 March 2009
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords
Subjects: IGCSE Ofqual
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk