Grammar swaps GCSE for harder Euro exam

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Bexley Grammar School is to follow the example of 250 leading private schools, including St Paul's and Harrow, and ditch science GCSEs in favour of the International GCSE, which is modelled on the old O-level, does not include coursework and is widely seen as harder.

Bexley's head Roderick Mackinnon admitted today that this would damage Bexley's standing in league tables - but said the move was "in the pupils' interests".

Mr Mackinnon's school topped the GCSE league tables in London in 2006, with all pupils getting at least five A* to C-grades.

He said the new GCSE syllabus, which attempts to make science more "relevant" and interesting, was not rigorous enough. He said: "We have concerns about the challenge of the new curriculum. It would be the same with the top sets in comprehensive schools - we do not think it stretches our pupils enough."

Grammars and comprehensives have not so far chosen IGCSEs because they are not recognised by the Government and might not receive funding for pupils. They are also not included in league tables. Mr Mackinnon said: "We will register a big zero there."