Video and Associated Visual Assets for 9 to 1 Programme

Ofqual's wishes to undertake creation of a video(s) and associated visual assets as part of Ofqual's programme to build awareness of GCSE, AS and A level reforms (our '9 to 1 programme'). Ofqual regulates GCSEs, AS and A levels in England within the context of government policy. A programme to reform and redevelop these qualifications has been under way since 2013. Exam boards are producing new subject specifications which we are reviewing to make sure they are of the right standard. The changes being made to GCSEs will mean they are more engaging and worthwhile to teach and to study, and that they compare well with similar qualifications internationally. And the changes at A level will ensure they remain a highly respected qualification both domestically and internationally. Ofqual would like to create a video, or series of videos, with the aim of raising awareness and understanding of aspects of the reforms among key stakeholders. The programme will focus on using the new GCSE grading scale (9 to 1) as a vehicle to drive engagement. The central messages we would like to convey are: that the grading scale is changing from letters to numbers; the reasons for this, i.e. to signal that a reformed, more demanding GCSE has been studied and to better differentiate student performance at the top end (there will be nine grades instead of eight); and, that students who get a grade 4 or above in the first year of awarding would have got a grade C or above on the existing letter scale.