GCSE targets confirmed

Following requests from ASCL, the DfES has clarified its position on what will count toward English and maths GCSEs in the new league table standard. The government has confirmed that only good GCSEs in English and maths will meet the criteria.

The ruling ended confusion caused by earlier government guidance that proposed other skills qualifications, such as "functional English and maths at Level 2", could be used as an alternative.

In an email to John Dunford, a senior civil servant said: "The 14-19 implementation plan firms up the government's position, making it absolutely clear that the decision is to have five A*-C including English and maths GCSEs as the target measure. The consultation is only about what supplementary indicators we might have, if any."