GCSE Mr. Laws To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the effect of modular GCSE courses on the level of examination grades awarded; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Coaker There is nothing in the regulatory criteria governing GCSEs that requires GCSEs to be modular: it is for awarding bodies to decide whether to develop qualifications in this way. It is for Ofqual as the independent regulator to ensure that the standard of GCSEs is maintained year on year. They are engaged in work with awarding bodies to make sure that this is the case where the awarding body has chosen a modular approach.