Francis Review Sparks English and Maths Shake-Up
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed new changes to college performance measures in English and maths. The adjustments aim to better track the learning time students receive before being entered for exam resits.
According to the DfE’s response to the curriculum and assessment review led by Becky Francis, the department will revise the reinstated 16–18 English and maths progress measure and qualification achievement rates.
“Providers reported certain aspects of performance and accountability arrangements may be inadvertently contributing to the practice and culture of repeated resits, including pressure to enter learners for exams prematurely.”
Francis’s review found that students should still be required to work toward grade 4 GCSE passes in English and maths if they have not achieved them by the end of school. The DfE agreed with this recommendation, stressing the importance of continued study until that level is reached.
Most of Francis’s proposals for 16–19 education—such as V Levels, English and maths GCSE stepping-stone qualifications, and two new level 2 pathways—were included in the government’s recent post-16 education and skills white paper.
This white paper, released last month, also appeared to highlight concerns about colleges pushing unprepared learners into resit exams.
Author’s Summary
The DfE adopts Becky Francis’s review recommendations, adjusting English and maths performance measures to reduce premature exam entries and focus on meaningful student progress.