More private schools give up on 'dumbed down' GCSEs

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Increasing numbers of private schools are opting to teach the International GCSE because they regard the domestic exams as dumbed down.

Unease over government reforms to coursework and fresh concerns that new modular science GCSEs have become easier is fuelling the flight from mainstream exams, headteachers say. The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference of 250 of the most prestigious private schools expects more to abandon GCSEs in favour of the international exams this year.

Ministers have banned state schools from following suit, refusing to fund the teaching of IGCSEs in maintained comprehensives and grammars, widening the divide between state and independent education.

IGCSEs were developed for overseas students and are likened to traditional O-levels, which GCSEs replaced 20 years ago, because they require pupils to pass exams at the end of a two-year course and involve no coursework projects.

HMC secretary Geoff Lucas said many private schools were also unhappy at reforms to coursework introduced in an attempt to prevent plagiarism. The Government's new "controlled assessment" system means teenagers must complete coursework projects in school, rather than at home, under exam-style supervision.

Mr Lucas said this created "administrative complexities". He added: "It puts a huge pressure that wasn't there. There's no doubt it will be an additional reason for people to reflect on whether to convert to IGCSEs."

The number of pupils taking IGCSEs in private schools rose threefold last year to 40,000, with almost half of those registered with the Independent Schools Council offering the courses in at least one subject. Schools gain no credit in league tables for teaching the IGCSEs which, the Government says, do not follow the national curriculum and cannot be regarded as equivalent to domestic GCSEs.

Mr Lucas also said more independent school heads were thought to be unhappy with new science GCSEs introduced in 2006. Last year's were criticised as "too lenient" by exams watchdog Ofqual, which ordered exam boards to make questions harder. The regulator said the changes would not come into effect in time for this year's GCSEs, leaving the science class of 2009 open to claims their results are tainted.