State schools in 'rush' to offer international GCSEs
RISING numbers of state schools are rushing to offer international GCSEs instead of traditional exams in subjects such as English and maths, it was suggested today.
Some 16 state secondary schools signed up for so-called "IGCSE" courses in July – the month after the new Government opened up the qualifications to the state sector.
IGCSEs have long been favoured by many private schools who believe they are tougher than traditional GCSEs. But state secondaries were banned from offering IGCSEs in core subjects such as English, maths and science by the previous Government.
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Hide AdIn June, Education Secretary Michael Gove reversed the decision, announcing that state schools would be able to teach the qualifications from September.
Today, Cambridge International Examinations, one of the main awarding bodies offering IGCSEs, revealed the move had led to a rush of interest from schools.