A NEW set of reformed GCSEs is being introduced this summer.

These GCSEs will have new grades from nine to one. Teachers and pupils are confused as the Government has given little or no information about the exact standard of each new grade To compound matters, the Education Secretary has decided to replace the original good pass grade of five with two separate pass grades.

One, at grade four, is to be known as a standard pass and will be the minimum entry level for sixth form courses, further education courses and apprenticeships.

The other, at grade five, is to be known as a strong pass. Both grades will be used in key stage four accountability measures.

So, two calculations will be published for each accountability measure for each school. One calculation will just include GCSEs at grade five or higher. The other will include GCSEs at grade four or higher.

Following last year’s shambolic primary school tests, this will reinforce the impression held by many parents, teachers and employers that the Education Department has been putting forward completely nonsensical reforms for quite a while.

Andrew Dowson, Bishop Auckland