UK Debates : - Should IGCSE replace GCSE?

UK Debates :- IGCSE in State Schools

Cambridge International GCSE is becoming very popular in UK independent schools, including well known colleges like Winchester, Harrow and Dulwich.

Cambridge IGCSE's UK counterpart, GCSE, is taken in UK state schools. Universities worldwide accept GCSE as grade-forgrade equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE.

Cambridge IGCSE has established such a good reputation in the UK that many state schools now want to off er it, too – like state schools in other countries such as New Zealand and the USA.

In response to demand from schools, the UK government Department for Education and Skills (DfES) launched a consultation, 23 November 2006, on the use of Cambridge IGCSE in state schools.

CIE hopes the UK government will make Cambridge IGCSE available to state schools in the UK. CIE belives there are four important reasons why they should:

• Cambridge IGCSE meets the goals of the UK National Curriculum
• Choice and diversity of provision – a key Government aim in education
• Fairness – young people in state schools should be allowed to take the same qualifi cations as young people in private schools
• Flexibility – current 14–19 reforms focus on increasing fl exibility and reducing prescription in the National Curriculum, which is what Cambridge IGCSE off ers

The consultation ends 23 February 2007.

To take part, visit www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations