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Written question asked by Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 31 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 April 2025. It was answered by Catherine McKinnell (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 April 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.


GCSE and IGCSE

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure academic consistency between (a) GCSEs and (b) iGCSEs; and whether she has held discussions with (i) teachers and (ii) parents on perceptions of the differences between those qualifications.

Answer

International GCSEs, which includes iGCSEs, and GCSEs in England are different qualifications. Unlike GCSEs, international GCSEs are not developed by the department, regulated by Ofqual or funded for use in state schools. International GCSEs have also not counted in school performance tables since GCSEs were last reformed.

International GCSEs were introduced to serve the large international market for British qualifications and are also offered by some independent schools. The awarding organisations that offer international GCSEs decide the content for these qualifications and how that content is assessed. The department has no role in setting grading standards for these qualifications.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
42892
Session
2024-26
Subjects
GCSE IGCSE
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk