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The recurring issue of students in England repeatedly failing and retaking their GCSEs in maths and English has been described as “simply not working” by a prominent education union. According to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), a considerable number of pupils fail to achieve a pass in these key subjects, and a majority of those who attempt the exams again experience the disappointment of failing once more.
Recent data released on Thursday revealed that nearly 25% of maths and English GCSEs were taken by students aged 17 or older. These are mostly individuals resitting exams they did not pass in their initial attempts. The government has expressed a desire to end this ongoing cycle of repeated resits, referring to it as an “endless treadmill of unnecessary resits.” To address the situation, a new qualification at Level 1, one step below GCSE level, will be implemented starting in 2028 for those who do not secure a pass in GCSE maths or English.
Currently, passing GCSEs in maths and English is a prerequisite for many educational courses and employment opportunities. Students who do not meet these requirements often find themselves trapped in a continuous loop of resitting the exams, attempting multiple times to achieve the necessary grade. Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of ASCL, likened this ongoing process to “force feeding” students a “relentless diet of GCSE English and maths,” which restricts their educational and career pathways.
Di’Iasio also highlighted the broader consequences of this system, suggesting it likely contributes to the significant number of young people who end up not being in employment, education, or training. Furthermore, pass rates among students aged 17 and older are considerably lower compared to 16-year-olds taking the exams for the first time. This disparity negatively impacts overall GCSE performance statistics across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
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