Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the interim report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Committee, published on 18 March, (1) what evidence has the Committee considered in relation to GCSE Maths and English results, including pass rates in resits, and (2) whether the Committee has taken account of quality and consistency of teaching across schools and regions.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s work has been informed by a wealth of evidence from experts, stakeholders and the public, including over 7,000 responses to the call for evidence, and a range of research and polling. The Curriculum Review’s final report and the government’s response were published on 6 November.

​As set out in the interim report, regarding mathematics and English GCSE resits, the Review has considered a range of evidence, including student attainment and progress in these subjects, the characteristics of students studying these subjects and the impact of studying and achieving these subjects on students’ further studies and future lives.

​The post-16 education and skills strategy white paper introduces a package of support to improve the teaching of English and mathematics in further education, and enable more students to make progress towards and achieve a GCSE grade 4 or above in English and maths. This includes offering students new level 1 'preparation for GCSE' stepping stone qualifications that support students with lower prior attainment for successful GCSE resits the following year.