The Evidence
The numbers show the system is not working
Every year, around 220,000 young people miss out on English and maths GCSE passes they need. The impact is not equal, and the young people most likely to be blocked are often the ones already facing the biggest barriers.
1 in 3
GCSE outcomes
1 in 3 Young people do not achieve the grade 4 pass they need in both GCSE English and maths each year to progress.
This is not a small group. It is a structural problem.
SEN
7 in 10 Pupils with special educational needs (SEN) do not achieve grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths.
When the majority of SEN learners are not crossing the finish line, we have to ask whether the race is fair.
7 in 10
4 in 5
SEN and poverty
4 in 5 Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and are also eligible for free school meals do not achieve grade 4 or above in both GCSE English and maths.
Disadvantage adds up. The current system does not affect all children equally.
Resits
The approximate average GCSE resit pass rate over the last five years is 21%.
When the same exam format keeps failing the same group of learners, repeating it is not high standards. It is poor design.
21%
6 in 10
Functional Skills maths
6 in 10 Learners pass Level 2 Functional Skills maths.
Level 2 Functional Skills are widely treated as an equivalent level to GCSE grade 4/C for many purposes.
Functional Skills English
8 in 10 Learners pass Level 2 Functional Skills English.
Same level. Different format. Different outcome.
8 in 10