search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
Make navigating education systems easy with our Guide to Education & Schools in the UK 2018/19


Decoding the 2018 school exam results


This summer, students around the world received the results of their May examinations in GCSEs, A Levels, Scottish Highers and the IB Diploma. But recent reforms to A Levels and GCSEs have left parents and employers confused over how to interpret these results. Heather Carruthers explains everything you need to know.


bit.ly/UK_Guide


S •


tudents had much to celebrate this year with record levels of achievement in GCSEs and Scottish Highers. Despite reforms to GCSEs and A Levels, results still appear to be on an upward


trend. Here’s a quick glance at some of the changes: Reformed ‘gold standard’ GCSEs


• The UK government has reformed GCSEs to raise them to a standard similar to those in Singapore and Finland – widely recognised as the highest-achieving education systems in the world


• Examined at the end of the two-year course rather than throughout the course


• Pupils are forced to study the whole curriculum rather than a narrower part of the syllabus as in the old GCSEs format


Introduction of more challenging content and much less coursework


• A change to a numerical grading system where 9 is higher than the old A* and shows exceptional achievement (only 4% of grades were awarded a 9 this year) and a 4 is equal to a C (pass)


Understanding the new GCSE numerical grading system


New grading structure


9 8 7


6 5 4


3 2 1


U Old grading structure


A* A


B C


D E F G


U


Reformed A Levels •


In England, AS and A Levels have been decoupled so that AS results no longer count towards an A Level


• Examinations are at the end of the two-year course


• Less coursework and fewer practical assessments • Reduction in the number of subjects available to ensure quality


So, how did pupils perform in 2018?


Reformed GCSE 2018 was the first year that reformed GCSE qualifications were


awarded in 23 subjects. Despite concerns of a dip in attainment due to the more challenging content, results were broadly in line with previous years, with an increase in attainment at key grades. Exam regulators have been quick to ensure that this year’s cohort


have not been disadvantaged under the new system but this has meant low grade boundaries in some subjects. For example, for one exam board the pass mark in maths (level 4) was 21%. Overall, 67% of pupils passed and the percentage of students achieving both a 7 (an old A grade) and a 4 (an old C grade) increased by 0.5%. International schools around the world had much to celebrate,


including Box Hill in Surrey whose 9-4 (A*–C) pass rate was 20% above the national average despite its non-selective approach to education. Headmaster, Cory Lowde said, “I’m so impressed with these young people – achieving such great results against the background of major changes in the structure of exams whilst also involving themselves with everything else the school has to offer.” Employers recruiting new talent can be reassured when comparing


candidates with those under the previous system that exam regulators have enabled fair comparisons to be made and that students have not been disadvantaged. Something new to look out for, however, is the new level 9, which indicates exceptional achievement (higher than an old A*).


IGCSE (International GCSE) IGCSEs have historically been a popular choice with independent schools since they were introduced in 1988 and were largely chosen


58 | Relocate | Autumn 2018


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64