Union warns that repeated GCSE resits are trapping students in a failing cycle
The Association of School and College Leaders says the high number of older students retaking GCSE maths and English is not working, and the government plans a new Level 1 qualification from 2028 as an alternative.
Recent results indicate that a sizable share of GCSE maths and English entries in England come from students aged 17 and above, many of whom are on their second or later attempt. The Association of School and College Leaders describes the cycle as a relentless diet that narrows educational and career options and contributes to youth disengagement. The Department for Education announced a new Level 1 "stepping stone" qualification, slated for 2028, to give learners who miss a GCSE pass essential skills before they sit the exam again.
The proposal aims to reduce the pressure of endless resits while still allowing students to progress to further study or work. Parents and students shared mixed experiences, from a teenager finally achieving a grade 5 after multiple tries to a grandmother passing maths on her fifth try. Educators highlighted the pandemic's lingering impact on foundational learning, suggesting earlier interventions could help reduce future resits.
Why it matters
Repeated GCSE failures keep many young people from education, work or training, affecting their future prospects.
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