This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/sep/29/headteachers-criticise-new-rules-gcse-exams

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Headteachers criticise new rules on pupils entering GCSE exams early Headteachers criticise new rules on pupils entering GCSE exams early
(35 minutes later)
New rules to prevent schools from "gaming" the exam system to improve their league table ranking will force secondaries across England to quickly redraw plans for their pupils' GCSE entries, according to headteachers.New rules to prevent schools from "gaming" the exam system to improve their league table ranking will force secondaries across England to quickly redraw plans for their pupils' GCSE entries, according to headteachers.
Citing concern at the rising number of pupils taking the same exam papers a year or more earlier than normal – which Michael Gove branded as "cheating" by schools – the Department for Education has announced that pupils resitting the same GCSE paper will only have the grade of their first attempt count in calculating crucial school league tables. Citing concern at the rising number of pupils taking the same exam papers a year or more earlier than normal – which Michael Gove branded as cheating by schools – the Department for Education has announced that pupils resitting the same GCSE paper will only have the grade of their first attempt counted in calculating school league tables.
But Gove's attempt to snuff out the rise in repeated and early GCSE exam entries was branded an "omnishambles" by head teachers. They point to a loophole in the policy and the fact it was announced in the middle of the school year as a source of headache for school leaders. But Gove's attempt to snuff out the rise in repeated and early GCSE exam entries was branded an "omnishambles" by head teachers. They point to a loophole in the policy and the fact it was announced in the middle of the school year as a source of headaches for school leaders.
Secondary schools across England will have to hurriedly alter their plans for GCSE entries after the abrupt change in policy was outlined by Gove in an interview with the Sunday Times.Secondary schools across England will have to hurriedly alter their plans for GCSE entries after the abrupt change in policy was outlined by Gove in an interview with the Sunday Times.
Gove said: "The school is in effect gaming the system by not thinking what is in the best interests of the student but using the student as a means of gathering points so the school itself can look better and that is, in a word, cheating." Gove said: "The school is in effect gaming the system by not thinking what is in the best interests of the student but using the student as a means of gathering points so the school itself can look better, and that is, in a word, cheating."
"The change will mean schools will only enter students for an exam when they are confident the student has the best opportunity to succeed," the DfE said in its announcement. The education department said in its announcement: "The change will mean schools will only enter students for an exam when they are confident the student has the best opportunity to succeed."
For school preparing to enter pupils in GCSE exams in November, Gove's announcement may mean a dramatic about-turn that will see many schools withdraw pupils who have not previously taken GCSEs, and re-enter them again for summer exams when they may be better prepared. For schools preparing to enter pupils in GCSE exams in November, Gove's announcement may mean an about-turn that will see many schools withdraw pupils who have not previously taken GCSEs, and re-enter them again for summer exams when they may be better prepared.
The change will not apply to pupils who have previously completed GCSE exams, whose best grades will continue to count towards a school's pass rate.The change will not apply to pupils who have previously completed GCSE exams, whose best grades will continue to count towards a school's pass rate.
But other heads pointed to what they described as a loophole in the new rules.But other heads pointed to what they described as a loophole in the new rules.
According to the DfE, only the first GCSE grade awarded in a series would count towards league table rankings for schools. But by entering pupils in different series of exams – such as those administered by different examination boards rather than resits taken at different times – the previous policy of a pupil's best grade in the same subject would be used. According to the DfE, only the first GCSE grade awarded would count towards league table rankings for schools. But by entering pupils in different series of exams – such as those administered by different examination boards – the previous policy of a pupil's best grade in the same subject would be used. In that scenario, a pupil sitting GCSE English could take papers with different boards such as AQA or OCR in a series, and have multiple attempts to gain a pass mark that counts in school league tables.
In that scenario, a pupil sitting GCSE English could take papers with different boards such as AQA or OCR, and have multiple attempts to gain a pass mark that counts in school league tables.
"They're going to create a crazy cluster entry at the end of year 11 with different boards if they aren't careful," said one headteacher, who did not want to be named."They're going to create a crazy cluster entry at the end of year 11 with different boards if they aren't careful," said one headteacher, who did not want to be named.
A DfE spokesperson said the policy was aimed at stopping schools entering pupils a year or more early for GCSEs, in the hope of getting a pass mark. A DfE spokesman said the policy was aimed at stopping schools entering pupils a year or more early for GCSEs, in the hope of getting a pass mark.
"The evidence shows that candidates who enter early perform worse overall than those who do not, even after re-sits are taken into account," Gove said on Sunday. Gove said on Sunday: "The evidence shows that candidates who enter early perform worse over all than those who do not, even after resits are taken into account. It seems likely that candidates are being entered before they are ready, and 'banking' a C grade."
"It seems likely that candidates are being entered before they are ready, and 'banking' a C grade." School leaders said there were legitimate reasons for entering pupils early, and that this could cause schools to hold back bright students whom they would otherwise have entered a year early. "Most schools that use early entry are acting in the best interests of students. Many use early entry and then move students on to higher level papers or higher level qualifications," a school leader from Yorkshire said.
But school leaders said there were legitimate reasons for entering pupils early, and that this could cause schools to hold back bright students who they would otherwise have entered a year early.
"Most schools that use early entry are acting in the best interests of students. Many use early entry and then move students on to higher level papers or higher level qualifications," a school leader from Yorkshire said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.