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State school follows in footsteps of independent sector

Posted on 19th June 2008

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The international GCSE (IGCSE), currently in use at over 250 independent schools, is to have its first state school candidates this autumn.

According to the Independent, Bexley Grammar School in Kent will be adopting the qualification in September, following in the footsteps of private schools around the country.

Speaking about the new GCSE curriculum, headteacher Rod Mackinnon told the paper: "We were clear it just wasn't going to stimulate our pupils enough," adding that there were concerns that it would not "stretch" them.

The school will now ditch the standard GCSE in favour of the new qualification, which is similar to traditional O-level assessment.

As the IGCSE is not recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Bexley is likely to suffer in the league tables.

However, Mr Mackinnon noted, funding should not be affected as, at this stage, it is allocated per pupil and pupils will still be taking some GCSEs.

The exams watchdog is currently considering a state school alternative to the IGCSE.
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