Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 42
42
Rejected
Reform post-16 funding condition for mandatory GCSE English and maths resits.
Conclusion
The post-16 condition of funding, whereby students who have not achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and maths are effectively repeatedly required to take GCSE resits in those subjects as part of their programme of study, must be reformed. Despite a modest rise in overall attainment over the past ten years, the progression rate from age 16 to 19 remains low, with 72 per cent of those who did not achieve grade 4 at 16 still not achieving that grade by 19. This policy can be demoralising for students and a huge strain on colleges and their staff. Whilst ensuring that students continue to make progress in literacy and numeracy, an alternative approach is necessary. (Conclusion, Paragraph 186)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the need to reform the post-16 English and maths resit policy, stating that students must continue to be supported under the condition of funding, and will strengthen this requirement for 2025/26 by setting minimum teaching hours and reducing the provider opt-out tolerance.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Progressing towards and attaining level 2 skills in maths and English helps students realise their potential, and gives them the opportunity to progress in life, learning and work. Attaining English and maths GCSE grade 4+ or an equivalent Level 2 pass brings significant benefits to individuals and the economy. All students who do not achieve a Grade 4 or above in their GCSE at 16 should be supported to study English and maths under the condition of funding. This requires providers to support students on 16–19 study programmes and T Levels without Level 2 English and maths to improve their grade and, wherever possible, attain Level 2 before they leave education, given the benefits this brings. For the academic year 2025/26, this requires providers to offer students a minimum of 100 hours of English and a minimum of 100 hours of maths teaching. We are also reducing the tolerance by which providers may opt out students from these requirements to 2.5% of a provider’s total 16–19 cohort in 2025/26 (from its current level of 5%) so as many students as possible get support for English and maths. To allow more students with EHC plans to continue to receive support for maths and English under the condition of funding, there is a flexibility for institutions to deliver the minimum hours of teaching to them in an alternative format whilst remaining compliant with the condition of funding. In addition, students who have a GCSE grade 2 or below may study towards a GCSE grade 4 - 9, or a level 2 FSQ.