The UK Educational Landscape and Cambridge International Examinations Presented by: Val Sismey, University of Cambridge International Examinations Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:30 Session ID 153
Introduction This session will provide an overview of the changes in UK education, including the reform of GCE 'A Levels; and the introduction of new examinations such as the Diplomas and Cambridge Pre-U; plus additional information on Cambridge international variants such as 'O Level, IGCSE, and International 'A Levels.
UK National Curriculum and Awarding Bodies
UK National Curriculum Four key educational stages Key stage 1: 5-7 year olds Key stage 2: 7-11 year olds Key stage 3: 11-14 year olds Key stage 4: 14-16 year olds And Key Stage 5/Sixth Form: 16-19 education after compulsory schooling finishes www.testandexams.qcda.gov.uk/18914.aspx
England, Wales & Northern Ireland Awarding Bodies AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) England Edexcel Foundation England OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations) England WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee) Wales CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) Northern Ireland And University of Cambridge International Examinations
Our Organisation
Changes in the UK from 2011
Changes in the UK from 2011 Changes to GCSEs and A Levels Introduction of Extended Project Introduction of new diplomas Introduction of Cambridge Pre-U Apprenticeships Functional skills And many more
UK GCSE & Cambridge equivalents
UK GCSE 180 class contact hours 8 pass grades A*-F Modular examinations Controlled assessment Functional skills tested separately but included in result English Bac awarded for 5 subjects at Grade C or above including English and Maths Cambridge International GCSE 180 class contact hours 8 pass grades A*-G Linear examinations Optional coursework Functional skills embedded Group award (ICE) comprising of 7 IGCSEs from specific subject disciplines
Grading Comparison: USA and GCSE/IGCSE USA A+,A A-,B+ B Cambridge A*, A B C C+ D C E D+ F D F G U
Official Documentation
Cambridge O Level Cambridge O Level offered for over 50 years Equivalent to GCSE in UK Wide range of subjects Cambridge O Level Grades A*-E only (A* from June 2010) Percentage Uniform Mark in some countries from June 2010 Examination only options available
UK & Cambridge International AS and A Levels
Changes to UK A Levels Reduction in the number of units from six to four less breadth more depth No optional coursework Move back towards examinations Stretch and challenge into A2 units No structural changes to mathematics, music or applied A levels New grade of A* awarded since 2010 for students who gain an A grade overall at A level and in addition, gain 90 per cent or more of the maximum uniform marks on combined totals of the A2 units. This means achieving at least 180 uniform marks out of the 200 available at A2. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/educationandlearning/qualificatio nsexplained/dg_100390188
UK A Level Cambridge International A Level 360 class contact hours 6 pass grades A*-E Modular examinations Retakes of modules permitted Unitised, with some synoptic material at A2 Uniform mark of 100 per unit (Total 400 on 4 unit A Levels) 360 class contact hours 6 pass grades A*-E Linear examinations Retakes only permitted for whole subjects Links in subject matter across all papers Percentage uniform mark (100) at syllabus level in some countries
Grading Comparison: USA and A/AS Levels USA A+,A A-,B+ B UK/Cambridge A*, A B C C+ D C F E U
Official Documentation
Other Qualifications in the UK
Scottish qualifications S3 and S4 S5 S6 Standard Grade (Foundation level) or Access 3 Standard Grade (General level) or Intermediate 1 Intermediate 1 Intermediate 2 Intermediate 2 Higher Standard Grade (Credit level) or Intermediate 2 Higher Advanced Higher
UCAS Tariff point comparison between A Levels and Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers 160 140 UCAS Tariff Points 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 A* A B C D E A B C D A and AS Level Scottish Highers and Advanced highers AS A Levels Higher Advanced Higher
Qualification & Credit Framework (QCF) Levels 1-8 linked to NQF Three sizes of qualification in the QCF: Award (1-12 credits) Certificate (13-36 credits) Diploma (above 36 credits) - not linked to the 14-19 Diploma. Designed to support lifelong learning
The Extended Project EP will provide stretch and challenge for learners at level 3 The EP is an integral component of the new Diplomas and optional at GCE A level Grades A*-E EP approximately equivalent to half an A level and top grade awarded 70 UCAS tariff points
The new Diplomas Completely new range of qualifications for 14-19 year olds which are more practical than traditional qualifications By 2013 will cover very wide range of subjects 2010: construction; creative and media; engineering; IT; and society, health and development Foundation Diplomas: NQF level 1 Higher diplomas: NQF level 2 Progression Diplomas and Higher Diplomas: NQF level 3 www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/
UCAS Tariff point comparison between A Levels and Progression and Advanced Diplomas in the UK 600 500 UCAS Tariff Points 400 300 200 100 0 A* A B C D E A* A B C D E A and AS Level Diplomas 4 A Levels 3 A Levels, 1 AS and Extended project Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma
BTEC Qualification NQF 13 different qualifications Available as awards, certificates and diplomas A wide range of vocational areas Graded as PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION http://www.edexcel.com/pag es/home.aspx Entry Introductory First 2 Specialist National 3 Higher National Entry-1 Entry-1 Entry-3 4-5 Foundation 3-4 Professional 4-7 Short Course 1-7
UCAS Tariff point comparison between A Levels and BTEC Nationals in the UK 600 500 UCAS Tariff Points 400 300 200 100 0 A* A B C D E DDD DDM DMM DD DM D MMM MMP MM MPP MP M PPP PP P A and AS Level BTEC Nationals 4 A Levels 3 A Levels, 1 AS and Extended project Diploma Certificate Award
Cambridge Pre-U
Why develop Cambridge Pre-U? Approach from school Principals: Modularisation caused Loss of teaching time Cognitive fragmentation Higher Education concerns: Problems in selection How to identify the very best? Opacity of outcomes Lack of readiness for HE Knowledge gap Loss of holistic understanding Lack of generic skills Independent work Research skills
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma Independent Research Report Opportunities for greater depth Principal Subject Principal Subject Principal Subject Completely free choice of 26 subjects Global Perspectives Short Courses in MFL, Additional Principal Subjects Guarantees breadth Individual learning pathways
GPR in the curriculum Complementing a subject-based portfolio Mathematics Chemistry Physics GPR
Key components of curriculum core 1. Critical thinking 2. Independent study and extended writing 3. Trans-disciplinary study 4. Reflective learning 5. Awareness/understanding of global issues 6. Communication skills Global Perspectives Independent Research Report GPR
An articulated two year programme Global Perspectives Critical thinking and research skills taught through an exploration of a broad range of global issues Acquired skills, emerging personal perspective Independent Research Report Critical thinking and research skills used for an in-depth exploration of an independently formulated research question
Global Perspectives topics and themes Ethics Economics Genetic engineering, medical ethics, standards of living versus quality of life, ethical foreign policy, religious/secular divide Globalisation of economic activity, migration and work, impact of the internet, global trade, ethics and economics of food, economic role of women Environment Science and politics of climate change, industry and pollution, biodiversity, challenge of genetic modification, urbanisation and the countryside Technology Politics and culture Alternatives to oil, artificial intelligence, futures, technology and intelligent buildings, online and interactive communities China s emergence as a superpower, endangered cultures, international law, supra-national agencies, new nationalities, integration and multiculturalism
Global Perspectives: the critical path Deconstruction Reconstruction Reflection Presentation Detailed analysis of a point of view Identification and evaluation of evidence for and against competing points of view How have the student s own views been affected by the inquiry? An opportunity to address an issue holistically and in detail
GPR Assessment Year 1 Year 2 Global Perspectives Independent Research Report 01 Exam Paper 04 Written Report 02 Essay 03 Presentation 50% 50%
GPR in the USA Florida school involved in international pilot New York pilot started Sept 2010 Interest in group of schools in Boston area Support from US universities Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) praise the educational values of GPR, saying that its values are similar to those of MIT Duke University welcomes students who have taken the new curriculum from Cambridge, Global Perspectives and Research Report (GPR). GPR puts an emphasis on a number of the skills that students need in order to be successful in their university education. University of Columbia hosting school development meetings.
Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects 500 Number of Candidates 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 Most popular subjects: GPR Literature in English Mathematics History French Physics 59 schools 2,246 exam entries 1,518 candidates 50 0 D1 D2 D3 M1 M2 M3 P1 P2 P3
Principal Subject Specifically focused on preparation for University 380 class contact hours 9 pass grades D1-P3 Linear examinations Retakes only permitted for whole subjects Links in subject matter across all papers UK A Level Original purpose broadened 360 class contact hours 6 pass grades A*-E Modular examinations Retakes of modules permitted Unitised, with some synoptic material at A2
Grading D1 Distinction Merit Pass D2 D3 M1 M2 M3 P1 P2 A/B boundary C/D boundary P3 Cambridge Pre-U exists in a defined relationship to A Level E/U boundary It is accessible to all who currently achieve pass at A Level
160 140 120 UCAS Tariff Points 100 80 60 40 20 0 D1 D2 D3 M1 M2 M3 P1 P2 P3 A* A B C D E IB7 IB 6 IB 5 IB 4 IB 3 AP 5 AP 4 AP 3 Pre-U A and AS Level IB AP Cambridge Pre-U Principal Course TBD Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Independent Research Cambridge Pre-U Short Course A-Level AS Level IB Higher IB Standard AP Group A AP Group B
UK recognition Durham University notes the academic rigour of the linear approach, the retention of subject specialism and the expanded reporting scale at the top end of achievement.
Questions?
Thank You! Val Sismey Sismey.v@cie.org.uk Please complete the class evaluation form Session ID 153