OCR leads the way in the accreditation of new engaging, innovative A Level qualifications Friday 3 August 2007

We are pleased to announce that we have achieved accreditation with QCA for our new generation of GCE A Level specifications for first teaching from September 2008. We will be providing 44 new and wholly revised specifications which have been formally signed off by the regulatory authorities today.

We have enriched all our new provision with engaging and relevant topics and to provide opportunities for innovation in delivery that reflect the best of current teaching practice.

New additions include:

• An exciting second History specification that shifts the emphasis firmly to the 'why' and the 'how' alongside the more traditional 'what' of the historian's work
• A new D&T Product Design specification which embraces all the latest developments in this fast-moving field
• A modern approach to Classics with an innovative suite which can recognise specialisms in Latin, Greek, Classical Studies or Ancient History.

Final versions of the specifications with sample assessment material have already started to appear on our website and the full range will become available within the next two weeks.

Printed, bound copies of specifications, along with CDs containing both the specifications and sample assessment materials, will be despatched to all schools and colleges early in the new term. This despatch will be accompanied by examples of the impressive range of new publisher materials developed to support the new OCR GCEs. Details of our range of INSET events to support teachers are available on the OCR website.

Greg Watson, Chief Executive of OCR says, ‘This is a significant moment for young people studying A Levels from 2008. I am extremely proud of the work we have done in partnership with teachers and our examiners to create high-quality specifications that will offer young people a modern, relevant and stimulating curriculum.'