New exam grading on the way

Tuesday 06 December 2016

You might have just got your head around what an A* is but GCSE grades are changing in some subjects next year to catch up with the UK.

From September 2017 GCSEs in English language, English literature and Maths will be graded 9 to 1, with 9 being the top mark, the equivalent of an A*.

It's a six step grading system that was introduced in the UK at the start of this school year and Education say it's being brought in here too to make sure Jersey children have the same nationally recognised qualifications.

It broadly means that the same proportion of students will get a grade 4 and above as currently get a grade C and above and the same will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve an A and above.

At the Education & Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel quarterly meeting the Island's Head of Education Justin Donovan said as part of the new curriculum the UK has scrapped its assessment tests before GCSEs and left it up to schools there to do their own assessments but he says that's not the case here. He said every child in the Island starting secondary school in September sat a test in English, Maths and Science to give an indication of what they would be able to do in five years' time. The tests showed Jersey students are ahead of their UK peers in English and Science and level in Maths. 

All other subjects will still be graded A* to G.