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Schools: Assessments

Volume 489: debated on Tuesday 17 March 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment his Department has made of the merits to adding the two GCSE qualifications to its list of approved qualifications which it will fund maintained schools to deliver under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. (262828)

To be considered for funding in maintained schools under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, qualifications must first be accredited by Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator. International GCSEs (iGCSEs) have not been put forward for accreditation by either of the two awarding bodies which offer them, Edexel and Cambridge International Examinations. A number of Cambridge International Certificates, which are similar to iGCSEs, have however recently been accredited by Ofqual and submitted to my right hon. Friend for approval under Section 96. A decision will be made shortly.