GCSEs, AS and A Levels in Latin, Classical Greek, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation 01 June 2016

Important changes to GCSEs, AS and A Levels in Latin, Classical Greek, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation

This notice was updated on 25 October 2016 to include revised information about the availability of the combined AS and A Level Classics (unendorsed) route.

OCR’s current AS and A Level Classics suite (H038–H042 and H438–H442) is being withdrawn on a staggered basis in Summer 2017 and Summer 2018. This is linked to the government’s reform of general qualifications, where Latin and Classical Greek have been developed on a different timeline to Ancient History and Classical Civilisation. 

In the reformed linear AS and A Level qualifications, examination boards cannot offer qualifications that allow centres and candidates the option to combine components from different subject areas. Therefore we will not be offering a direct replacement for AS and A Level Classics (H038 and H438). 

Amendment: In response to centre feedback, and following further discussion with Ofqual, we have amended our withdrawal plan for the combined AS and A Level Classics (unendorsed) route. For an additional year we will allow candidates to combine Ancient History and Classical Civilisation units as part of our 'new legacy' AS and A Level Unendorsed Classics qualifications (H002, H402). The only assessment opportunity (first time entries) to use these new certification codes will be June 2018, with a resit in June 2019. Full details can be found in the October 2016 notice to centres.

The final assessment opportunity for each route through the specification is detailed below:

Entry code	Qualification title	Qualification number	Final assessment opportunity	Resit opportunity
H038	OCR Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Classics	500/2616/1	Summer 2017	Summer 2018
H438	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Classics	500/2596/X	Summer 2017	Summer 2018
H039	OCR Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Classics: Latin	500/2616/1	Summer 2017	Summer 2018
H439	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Classics: Latin	500/2596/X	Summer 2017	Summer 2018
H040	OCR Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Classics: Classical Greek	500/2616/1	Summer 2017	Summer 2018
H440	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Classics: Classical Greek	500/2596/X	Summer 2017	Summer 2018
H041	OCR Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Classics: Classical Civilisation	500/2616/1	Summer 2018	Summer 2019
H441	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Classics: Classical Civilisation	500/2596/X	Summer 2018	Summer 2019
H042	OCR Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Classics: Ancient History	500/2616/1	Summer 2018	Summer 2019
H442	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Classics: Ancient History	500/2596/X	Summer 2018	Summer 2019

The final assessment opportunities for the 'new legacy' AS and A Level Classics (unendorsed) qualifications (H002, H402) are:

Entry code	Qualification title	Qualification number	Final assessment opportunity	Resit opportunity
H002	OCR Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Classics [Ancient History and Classical Civilisation units only]	601/9044/9	Summer 2018	Summer 2019
H402	OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Classics [Ancient History and Classical Civilisation units only]	601/9068/1	Summer 2018	Summer 2019

We have a range of new and exciting AS and A Level qualifications for centres looking for qualifications to teach to replace the qualifications on offer in our Classics suite.

For first teaching in September 2016, OCR have developed:

• New AS Level Latin (H043)
• New AS Level Classical Greek (H044)
  
• New A Level Latin (H443)
  
• New A Level Classical Greek (H444) 

For first teaching in 2017, OCR are currently developing:

• New AS Level Ancient History (H007)
• New AS Level Classical Civilisation (H008)
• New A Level Ancient History (H407)
• New A Level Classical Civilisation (H408)
  

Withdrawal of OCR’s GCSE Short Courses in Latin, Classical Greek, Ancient History and Classical Civilisation

Latin and Classical Greek

Our new GCSE (9–1) Latin and GCSE (9–1) Classical Greek qualifications have been redeveloped for first teaching in September 2016. We will be focusing our resources and support into providing you with the full course GCSEs in these subjects following their successful accreditation. 

These specifications replace the current full and short courses. The final assessment opportunities for the current qualifications are:

Entry Code	Qualification Title	Qualification number	Final Assessment Opportunity	Resit Opportunity
J281	GCSE Latin	500/4531/3	Summer 2017	N/A
J081	GCSE (Short Course) Latin	500/4428/X	Summer 2017	N/A
J291	GCSE Classical Greek	500/4669/X	Summer 2017	N/A
J091	GCSE (Short Course) Classical Greek	500/4662/7	Summer 2017	N/A

The GCSE short courses in Latin and Classical Greek were not available for redevelopment.  Our proposal for a Level 1/2 Certificate to fill the provision will unfortunately not be moving forward.

Ancient History and Classical Civilisation

Our new GCSE (9–1) in Ancient History and GCSE (9–1) in Classical Civilisation specifications will replace the current full and short courses.  OCR are currently working on developing these new specifications for first teaching in September 2017.  The final assessment opportunities for the current qualifications are:

Entry Code	Qualification Title	Qualification number	Final Assessment Opportunity	Resit Opportunity
J151	GCSE Ancient History	500/4405/9	Summer 2018	N/A
J051	GCSE (Short Course) Ancient History	500/4406/0	Summer 2018	N/A
J280	GCSE Classical Civilisation	500/4407/2	Summer 2018	N/A
J080	GCSE (Short Course) Classical Civilisation	500/4408/4	Summer 2018	N/A

The GCSE short courses in Ancient History and Classical Civilisation were not available for redevelopment.

The full courses for these qualifications have been redesigned to create engaging and exciting qualifications for students and will count towards Progress 8 measures.

Centres in Wales can take OCR’s reformed GCSEs, AS and A Levels in Latin and Classical Greek for first teach in September 2016 under arrangements for smaller entry subjects. We are awaiting confirmation on what subjects OCR can provide in Wales for first teach in 2017.

Centres in Northern Ireland can take OCR’s reformed AS and A Levels in Classics subjects, but should contact CCEA for more information on reformed GCSE specifications available in Northern Ireland.

For further information on deadlines for submitting entries, entry amendments/withdrawals and the submission of marks for internal assessment please see the administration section of the OCR website. We will continue to support and assess the current qualifications up to the conclusion of the final assessment series with resources such as Examiner Reports.

If you have any queries about this notice, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email classics@ocr.org.uk.