The DfE says vocational GCSEs for pupils aged 14 and over could be introduced as early as September 2029, alongside standard GCSEs. Possible subjects include construction and creative media; pupils will still be expected to study English, maths and science.
The new qualifications would be the same size as standard GCSEs, nationally set and replace Technical Awards introduced in 2015. The DfE says those awards lacked nationally standardised content and did not consistently support progression to further study. A consultation is due later this year, and Ofqual will regulate assessment and grading.
The DfE also announced 200,000 additional work-experience placements for 14- to 16-year-olds, including at No 10 North in Manchester. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott warned against reviewing GCSEs, citing England’s top-10 Pisa results in reading, maths and science. Separately, interim findings from a Cambridge OCR report suggested that teachers, students and parents valued existing vocational qualifications but saw structural and reputational barriers to wider adoption.
