Compulsory GCSE Resits for English and Maths to End in 2028
UKPulse Local Desk
Mandatory resits for English and maths GCSEs will cease in 2028, with a new "stepping stone" qualification planned for those who do not pass.
- Compulsory resits for English and maths GCSEs are set to end in 2028.
- A new "stepping stone" qualification in functional maths and English will be introduced.
- Around a third of 16-year-olds in England failed their maths and English GCSEs this year.
Compulsory resits for English and maths GCSEs are scheduled to conclude in 2028. This change will introduce a new "stepping stone" qualification in functional maths and English for students who do not pass their GCSEs.
This year, approximately 360,000 16-year-olds in England, representing about a third of the cohort, failed their maths and English GCSEs. Currently, these students must resit these subjects to pursue other post-16 courses, with only about 17% of resitters passing.
The Association of Colleges highlights the impact of current resit requirements, noting that students on post-16 study courses must dedicate seven hours a week to English and maths resits, leaving only nine hours for their chosen vocational subjects. Research from UCL indicates that this system can lead to a loss of self-confidence and increased dropout rates.
Why this matters: The change aims to address the challenges faced by students who repeatedly fail GCSE resits, potentially offering a more supportive pathway for developing essential literacy and numeracy skills.
What this means for you: If you are a student who does not pass English and maths GCSEs, from 2028 you may be able to take a new "stepping stone" qualification instead of mandatory resits.