Ofqual publishes new subject criteria for GCSEs

The three subjects are the last to be revised as part of the 14-19 education reform programme and will be available for first teaching in September 2010.

In total five sets of criteria have been published: English, English language, English literature, mathematics and ICT. This follows a three month public consultation that took place last year. The criteria will all ensure that the revised qualifications test functional and practical skills.

Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual, said:

"The GCSE is a well-established qualification and the main measure of academic attainment at the end of 11 years of compulsory education. It is important that GCSEs properly measure whether young people have achieved a strong level of functional skills in these three key subjects, as well as providing them with the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in other areas of the subjects. These new criteria for GCSEs in English, mathematics and ICT should enable both, and I expect awarding bodies to develop interesting and robust new specifications that will both test the basics and stretch the brightest."

"We all want our young people to be given a chance to demonstrate their abilities and to impress employers, higher and further education with their skills. I want these new GCSEs to play a part in improving the skills of the nation."

The majority of other GCSE subjects were revised and accredited last year ready for first teaching in September 2009.

With approved criteria now published, awarding bodies will begin to develop detailed syllabuses for each subject.  These will be submitted to Ofqual for accreditation in summer 2009.  Ofqual will ensure these syllabuses meet its highly demanding and stringent standards.

Notes to editors

1. The new criteria for GCSE English, English language, English literature, mathematics and ICT can be downloaded from this page

2. Also available to download is a letter from Ofqual Chair, Kathleen Tattersall, to Minster of State for Schools and learners, Jim Knight regarding functional skills.

3. Ofqual in its interim form is part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). On 2 April 2008 Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced that the government intended to legislate to make Ofqual a separate statutory authority reporting directly to Parliament.

4. For further information journalists should contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3342, or 07798 924552 outside office hours. Members of the public should call the Ofqual helpline on 0300 303 3346.