Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the effect of reforms to the GCSE grading system on pupil well-being; and if he will make a statement.

The reformed GCSEs are a culmination of a programme of curriculum and qualification reforms since 2011, involving consultation with subject experts, higher education institutions and teachers. These qualifications will better prepare students for further study or employment and are in line with standards in other countries with high performing education systems.

Exams are, by their very nature, stressful but this government has already taken steps to reduce the examination burden upon young people. At GCSE for example, exams are now linear with examinations only taking place at the end of the course of study, giving pupils at least two full years of study to better prepare before they sit external exams. We have also removed the incentives for multiple resits that were not helping children’s education.

Schools are responsible for preparing all young people for examinations and should have strong pastoral support in place to help pupils deal with any worries they might have throughout the year.

GCSE grading is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write directly to the right/hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.