Withdrawal of selected Entry Level Certificates
30 August 2016
Withdrawal of selected Entry Level Certificates
The following notice was updated in November 2016 to confirm the availability of the Business Studies January series.
The former Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, initiated the reform of GCSEs and A Levels in February 2013, asking Ofqual to implement changes that would lead to new qualifications. As part of this programme of reform, we have redeveloped 25 GCSE (9–1) qualifications for first teach in September 2015 and September 2016. We are currently developing 8 GCSE (9–1) qualifications for first teach in September 2017.
Alongside this, we have a requirement to ensure that our Entry Level provision allows progression to our new GCSE (9–1) qualifications. As part of our review of Entry Level qualifications we have made the difficult decision not to redevelop our Entry Level Certificates in Business Studies, Child Development, Classical Greek, Design and Technology, Food Studies, French, German, Spanish, ICT and Religious Studies due to overlapping content and declining numbers. The final assessment opportunity will be summer 2018, with a resit opportunity in summer 2019.
We will continue to support and assess the qualifications up to the conclusion of the final resit series in 2019.
| Entry code | Qualification title | Qualification number | Final assessment opportunity | Resit opportunity |
|---|
| R343 | Entry Level Certificate in Business Studies | 500/7808/2 | Summer 2018* | Summer 2019 |
| R350 | Entry Level Certificate in Child Development | 500/7829/X | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R446 | Entry Level Certificate in Classical Greek | 600/9769/3 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R371 | Entry Level Certificate in Design and Technology: Electronics | 500/7831/8 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R372 | Entry Level Certificate in Design and Technology: Graphics | 500/7831/8 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R373 | Entry Level Certificate in Design and Technology: Industrial Technology | 500/7831/8 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R374 | Entry Level Certificate in Design and Technology: Resistant Materials | 500/7831/8 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R375 | Entry Level Certificate in Design and Technology: Textiles Technology | 500/7831/8 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R357 | Entry Level Certificate in Food Studies | 500/7827/6 |
|
|
| R399 | Entry Level Certificate in French | 500/7981/5 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R429 | Entry Level Certificate in German | 500/7982/7 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R441 | Entry Level Certificate in Information and Communication Technology | 500/7828/8 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R468 | Entry Level Certificate in Religious Studies | 500/7805/7 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
| R489 | Entry Level Certificate in Spanish | 500/7980/3 | Summer 2018 | Summer 2019 |
* Please note there will not be a January series from 2018.The last January series will be in 2017.
For centres looking for an alternative provision, we would recommend the following:
- ICT: Our new Entry Level Certificate in Computer Science (R354)* will provide an ideal foundation for learners to progress to the new GCSE (9-1) in Computer Science (J276). Furthermore, we offer Level 1/2 Cambridge Nationals in ICT (J800, J810, J820)* and Creative iMedia (J807, J817, J827) which could be suitable alternatives for some learners.
- French/German/Spanish: Other awarding organisations will offer new GCSEs in French, German and Spanish, which may be suitable alternatives for some learners. Information on providers of general qualifications (incl. GCSEs) in these subjects can be found on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications or the QiW for centres in Wales.
- Religious Studies: Our new GCSE (9–1) Short Course in Religious Studies (J125) is a suitable alternative for learners and it provides an ideal foundation for learners who want to progress to the new GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies (J625).
- Business Studies: Our new GCSE (9–1) in Business (J204) is currently being developed for first teach in 2017, providing some learners with a suitable alternative to the Entry Level Certificate.
- Child Development: We have recently developed a Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in Child Development (J818)* for first teaching in September 2016, which could be a suitable alternative for some learners.
- Design and Technology: We offer Level 1/2 Cambridge Nationals in Engineering Design (J831, J841), Engineering Manufacture (J832, J842), Principles in Engineering and Engineering Business (J830, J840) and Systems Control in Engineering (J833, J843), which could be suitable alternatives for some learners. You may also be interested in our new GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology (J310), which is currently being developed for teaching from September 2017.
- Food Studies: Our new GCSE (9–1) in Food Preparation and Nutrition (J309) will provide some learners with a suitable alternative to the Entry Level Certificate.
- Classical Greek Our new GCSE (9–1) in Classical Greek (J292)* will provide some learners with a suitable alternative to the Entry Level Certificate.
*These qualifications are eligible for funding in Wales or in the process of being submitted for designated status (funding eligibility) in Wales. Maintained sector schools in Wales should check the QiW for full details of available qualifications.
For further information on deadlines for submitting entries, entry amendments/withdrawals and the submission of marks for internal assessment, please see the Administration area.
If you have any queries about this notice, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email general.qualification@ocr.org.uk.
Qualifications
- Business Studies - R343 (from 2010)
- Child Development - R350 (from 2010)
- Classical Greek - R446 (from 2013)
- Design and Technology - R371-R375 (from 2010)
- Food Studies - R357 (from 2010)
- French - R399 (from 2010)
- German - R429 (from 2010)
- ICT - R441 (from 2010)
- Religious Studies - R468 (from 2010)
- Spanish - R489 (from 2010)