Edexcel is the leading provider of Vocational Education in schools and colleges. In schools, 100,000 students are currently doing Part One GNVQ and a further 160,000 are doing other GNVQ courses.
From September 2002, we will be pleased to offer GCSEs in vocational subjects (formerly known as VGCSEs) - the next stage of an expansion of vocational education. Students can embark on vocationally-related programmes of study from the age of 14 with progression routes through Vocational A levels and other level 3 qualifications to Degree courses.
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment announced these qualifications in July 2000 and details will be available in the autumn to allow for planning for a September 2002 start.
Further information and qualification criteria are available on the QCA website.
An area for GCSE in vocational subjects is now available on the Edexcel website.
The aims of these qualifications are to:
- Widen participation in vocationally-related learning
- Increase progression routes to Post 16 education and training
- Raise attainment levels
- Clarify the equivalence between GNVQs and GCSEs.
GCSEs in vocational subjects will appeal to students who:
- Have an interest in vocational work-related qualifications
- Wish to progress to other vocational courses such as Vocational A levels, BTEC National Diplomas or NVQs
- Want variety in the way they work and are assessed at Key Stage 4
- Are encouraged by working independently.
GCSEs in vocational subjects - structures and assessment
- 3 compulsory units
- 2 units have internal assessment - coursework
- 1 unit has external assessment - exam
- They are equivalent to 2 GCSEs or a Double Award in terms of curriculum time and accreditation
- The final award is an aggregation of unit results
- They are reported on a scale of A* - G as A*A* - GG.
Edexcel GCSEs in vocational subjects will be available from September 2002 in:
- GCSE in Applied Art and Design (Double Award)
- GCSE in Applied Business (Double Award)
- GCSE in Applied ICT (Double Award)
- GCSE in Applied Science (Double Award)
- GCSE in Engineering (Double Award)
- GCSE in Health and Social Care (Double Award)
- GCSE in Leisure and Tourism (Double Award)
- GCSE in Manufacturing (Double Award).
All Edexcel specifications have now been accredited by QCA. The FINAL VERSIONS of the accredited specifications and sample assessment material are posted on this website.
Edexcel GCSEs in vocational subjects - accredited downloadable documents
Support from Edexcel
- Subject specific INSET meetings on introducing and planning the new qualifications
- Tutor support for all units
- Teaching implementation strategies
- Specimen assessment material for both internal and external assessment
- Subject specific web pages on the Edexcel website
- Edexcel's regional network provides both office and subject support at local level
- Supporting textbooks by leading publishers
- Downloadable briefing for centre staff
- Downloadable student guides:
- Art & Design
- Business
- Engineering
- Health & Social Care
- Information and Communication Technology
- Leisure and Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Science - Flyers and posters for parents and students (available now from Edexcel publications).
Timescale for Centres
June 2002
Information about Autumn 2002 and Spring 2003 Inset events.
September 2002
Tutor support packs
First cohort of students start GCSEs in vocational subjects.
January 2003
Exemplar material for the two internally assessed units.
Phasing in the Qualifications
Reference has been made to the "phasing in" of these GCSEs and there is some confusion over what phasing in means. Phasing in refers to the possible introduction from September 2004 of additional subjects. All eight subjects listed will be offered by Edexcel to all schools from September 2002.
GNVQs
The final assessments for Part One GNVQ will be in summer 2003, with resits available in 2004. Those centres currently offering Part One GNVQ will find that the support and guidance provided by Edexcel will enable them to make the transition to GCSEs in vocational subjects.
The full 6 unit GNVQs continue to be offered. The final assessments for the full GNVQs will be in summer 2005, with resits available in 2006.
For more information on GNVQs, visit our GNVQ area.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we decide which students should do GCSEs in vocational subjects?
GCSEs in vocational subjects are for students across the ability range but those students who are most successful with coursework, with continuous assessment rather than terminal exams, are likely to benefit the most. Also, students who have an idea about their future careers may find these GCSE in a related area a useful starting point.
Is there progression between the units? Is there a particular order in which the units should be taken?
Each unit is complete in itself and is assessed as such either through a portfolio of evidence or through an external assessment. In the guidance there is a suggested order for delivery, but the actually decision is left to the centre.
Is work experience a good idea?
It is not a requirement of the these GCSE courses. However, it could be advantageous to the student if their work experience was related to their GCSE in vocational subjects course.
How are GCSEs in vocational subjects assessed?
In each of these GCSEs one unit is externally assessed, through a paper which is written and marked by Edexcel, and two units are internally assessed through coursework.
Will the external tests across the awarding bodies be the same?
No. The unit content is the same across all awarding bodies but each one has developed the external assessments independently. We have consulted with teachers in the developments of the Edexcel external assessments in order to provide the type of assessment that teachers feel is most appropriate to the unit.
Do all the units carry equal weightings?
Yes, each unit mark, whether it is the external assessment mark or the two portfolio unit marks, will be converted to a UMS of 100. The three units combined means the qualification has a UMS of 300.
Will the marking allow students to achieve an A*?
Yes. Staff should allocate the full range of marks - if a student has demonstrated all the requirements in each of the assessment objectives that student should be awarded the highest mark available.
What help will Edexcel be providing for staff assessing these qualifications?
We will be doing three specific things to assist staff assessing these qualifications:
1. The unit specifications will include guidance around allocating marks within the bands to each assessment objective
2. Assessment guidance materials will be produced to assist assessors when marking student work
3. The INSET programme for 2002-2003 will provide further support
Is the awarding process to be similar to that of GCSE?
Yes, both the internal and externally assessed units will be subject to the normal standardising and awarding processes.
What is the progression route of a student achieving a grade D - G? Previously they would have progressed to either a Foundation or Intermediate GNVQ.
Progression for such students is unclear at present. Edexcel is planning to develop and extend the suite of BTEC First qualifications. In order to provide a distinctive progression opportunity which might in turn lead to further progression.
Will the tests be accessible to the F - G grade student?
Yes, the tests are being written to allow all students to show and be rewarded for what they can do.
What about those students who are not able to achieve a GCSE in vocational subjects?
There are Entry level qualifications on the national qualifications framework - these are now listed on Section 96 so are available to students in Key Stage 4.
There are 8 Edexcel Entry level certificates in Skills for Working Life and 3 Entry level certificates in Life Skills. For more information please visit the Entry Level area on the Edexcel website.
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